Media 2020 Conference – A Bridge between Continents

The Media 2020 Conference – Bringing Media to the Future, organised in Bucharest by Radio Romania and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) came to an end today amidst prolonged applause for the organisers.

The main topic approached on the second day of the conference was the impact of social media networks in the contemporary media landscape.

Abdulrahman Alhazzaa, President of Saudi Broadcasting Corporation, emphasised the importance of the social media, as well as its dangers. He called for caution in the use of social media and for checking and double-checking every piece of information coming via the social media.

Vijayalaxmi Chhabra, Director General of Doordarshan India, the world’s biggest public radio and television broadcasting service, said she was deeply convinced that despite all obstacles, radio would survive the Internet.

Radio is still a very strong medium in the current media landscape, but in order to remain competitive, it must constantly improve its products – is the conclusion of Toshiyuki Sato, Secretary General for PBI, Japan, following today’s talks.

Dr. Javad Mottaghi, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, reiterated at the end of the conference that content is what matters most. In his opinion, the principal responsibility of broadcasters is to provide quality content, which, he argues, is the only way they can maintain their audience and win over new public.

Graham Ellis, Deputy Director of BBC Radio, gave a special thanks to Radio Romania and its President and Director General Ovidiu Miculescu, saying that the meeting in Bucharest has helped build a bridge between Europe and Asia.

Ovidiu Miculescu, President and Director General of Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation, thanked panellists and all participants for the quality and the content of the talks and contributions, which, he said, opened up new perspectives. He emphasised that Radio Romania would remain a trusted partner. Mr Miculescu spoke about the intention to invite the Google and Netflix giants to the 2017 edition of the Media 2020 Conference, which is again to be hosted by Bucharest, to see if radio and television are indeed their rivals or their partners.