Voice of the Listener and Viewer (VLV) represents the citizen and consumer interest
in broadcasting and works for quality and diversity in British broadcasting.

Background Information to the Conference 

The terrible events of 11 September 2001 threw into dramatic and violent relief the dangerous divisions within the world community. The growing globalisation of trade and communications is hailed by some as a means of bringing peoples together, but for others it appears only as a threat, deepening the North/South divide. 

Voice of the Listener & Viewer’s 8th annual international conference will consider the role and responsibilities of broadcasters in times of global tension, and of rapid political, economic and technological change.  What influence do, and should, the news broadcasters exert on relations between different countries and cultures? 

Among specific issues to be examined are:

• the impact that new European Directives and WTO negotiations will have on the future of  broadcasting and audio visual services;

• the effect of WTO policies and moves to liberalise world trade on cultural diversity and the ability of smaller nations to preserve their own languages and national identities; 

• the role and responsibilities of newscasters in times of crisis and conflict; 

• the contribution that public service broadcasting can make to fostering understanding between different cultures and peoples;

• the role that new media services can play in promoting democracy and social inclusion whilst also preserving cultural diversity;

• the role that individuals, non-governmental organisations can play in supporting independent regulation and good governance in broadcasting;

• how to guarantee universal access to the opportunities and benefits offered by the new media; 

Baroness Blackstone, UK Minister for the Arts; 
Jean-Eric de Cockborne, Head of Audio Visual Policy, EC Directorate for Education and Culture, Brussels; 
Yosri Fouda,  Deputy Director, London Bureau, Al Jazeera Television, Qatar;
Dr Frank Freiling, Director, International Affairs ZDF Television, Germany and President, The Prix Italia.
Prof. Dr. Jo Groebbel, Director-General, The European Institute for the Media, Dusseldorf, Germany; 
Phil Laven, Director of Technical Affairs, EBU, Geneva; 
Tony Maddox, CNN Vice president for Europe, Africa and Middle East; 
Abdel Hamid Mamdouh, Director of Trade in Services, WTO Geneva; 
Kip Meek, Managing Director, Spectrum Strategy Consultants, UK; 
John Musukuma, Secretary-General, Southern Africa Broadcasting Association; 
John Owen, Former Director, London Center, USA Freedom Forum; 
Werner Rumphorst, Director of Legal Affairs, EBU, Geneva; 
Polya Stancheva, Diector General, Bulgarian National Radio;
Vaughn Smith, founder, Frontline Television News, UK; 
Preben Sorensen, Chairman, Federation of Danish Listeners’ & Viewers’ Associations;
Paul Bolt, Director, Broadcasting Standards Commission, UK;
Bridget Kendall, Diplomatic Correspondent, BBC
Ranjit Sondhi, BBC Governor; UK;
Tony Stoller, Director, The Radio Authority, UK; 
Mark Tully, BBC former special correspondent, India. 
Nigel Chapman, Deputy Director of the BBc World Service
Carole Tongue, Citigate Public Affairs Consultancy and former MEP/spokesperson on Public Service Broadcasting
Professor Vincent Porter, University of Westminster.

VLV is glad to acknowledge support for the conference from the BBC, BBC World Service, Broadcasting Standards Commission, Channel 4, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, Independent Television Commission, Radio Authority, S4C, Sandford St Martin Trust  and Thomson Foundation, without whose help it would not be possible for the event to take place, or for the cost of attendance by groups representing the citizen and consumer interest in broadcasting to be subsidised.

Tickets : £350.  Dinner £45  Concessions £170. Dinner £40. Students on request. 

Discounts are available for multiple bookings and day passes are also available pro rata. 

Please  telephone 01474-352835 for further details.

For complete programme details please click here Or click here to fill out booking form

For further information, contact: Linda Forbes or Jocelyn Hay. 
Tel: (00)1474-352835; Fax:  (00)1474-351112.

Telephone: 01474 352835. 
Fax: 01474 351112. 
E-mail: vlv@btinternet.com 

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