9th International Conference

Broadcasting and Civil Society in the Digital Age

26 and 27 April 2004

Chairman Jocelyn Hay has just announced the programme and speakers for VLV's 9th International Conference, Broadcasting and Civil Society in the Digital Age, taking place on 26 and 27 April at the Royal Society, London.  She said, ' This year Voice of the Listener and Viewer is celebrating its 21st anniversary, so it is especially apt that we look into the future and assess the potential opportunities, and threats, that face broadcasting and civil society in the rapidly changing digital age.  We look forward to debating the issues with many visitors from overseas and sharing their perspective.

VLV is delighted that the Rt Hon Lord McIntosh of Haringey, Minister for Media and Heritage, will open the conference and welcome the delegates on behalf of the Government. 

Other confirmed speakers include Mark Thompson, Chief Executive, Channel Four; Ashley Highfield, Director, BBC New Media; Phil Harding, Director, English Networks and News, BBC World Service; Damien Tambini, IPPR; Phil Laven, Technical Director, EBU; Huw Jones, Chief Executive, S4C; Peter Grant, Canadian author of Blockbusters and Trade Wars; Stefaan Depypere, Head of Unit - State Aid, Broadcasting, Telecom, Health, Sport and Culture at the European Commission; Roger Raven, President, Western Australia Friends of the ABC; Dr Noreen Golfman, President, Friends of CBC; Javad Mottaghi, Director, Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development; Elizabeth Smith, Secretary-General,  Commonwealth Broadcasting Association; Vladimir Gai, Chief Communication Development and Endogenous Production Section, UNESCO and Guillaume Chevenière, President, WSTVN. 

The programme has been designed to pick up many of the issues facing broadcasters, and citizens and consumers, in the digital age.  Sessions will include:

• The Spectres at the Feast - the international world, the threats from major players, their potential power to restrict and manage the industry.  The obligations put onto major media players, especially public service broadcasters, after WSIS.
• Europe without frontiers - a step too far? -  European update on TV Directives; effect of WTO, GATS and GATT; and future debates post WSIS and the effect of enlargement of EU. 
• Global Glitz - a threat to good governance?  Putting the new potential of digitalisation to effective use in our society today.  Developing good governance to protect the citizen and the consumer, to ensure their voice is heard and to protect local cultures and voices. 
• E-democracy - a spider's web or genuine participation? Can the digital world really make our societies more democratic?  Does the lack of access to technology in the developing world hinder the very countries who need help? 
• Bridging or deepening the digital divide? What are the real benefits - and to whom?  Will the consumer and citizen miss out again?  Who will control the gateways and costs?
• Media serving people - young and old - the vulnerability of the young and old in the new digital world. How do we use the new opportunities for their benefit?
• Beyond broadcasting - new directions in learning and communication? A core value of PSB - how do major broadcasters ensure that they spread the benefits and create opportunities, based on the potential of interactive learning.  When and how will the benefits reach the developing world?

VLV continues to provide a top-level forum for informed, international debate about the changing media environment and the contribution that public service broadcasting can make to the quality of cultural and democratic life in the information society.

After the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva, VLV's 9th International Conference will focus on the implications for civil society of the increasingly rapid convergence of communications technologies and the proliferation of new pay-services which digital technology makes possible.  And, whilst the BBC has been shaken to its very roots by the consequences of the Hutton Report, it is vital that worldwide confidence is restored in public service broadcasting and that outside threats are withstood.

The WSIS expressed in its Declaration of Principles a 'common desire and commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive and development-orientated Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge' and that 'traditional media in all their forms have an important role to play.'

Delegates 
This conference will appeal to: Specialists in Civil Society and the Information Society, voluntary and consumer organisations, media professionals, regulators, technologists, academics, NGOs and policy makers.

The conference is being managed by Quercis on behalf of Voice of the Listener and Viewer - www.quercis.com.

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