Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development

• 12 Oct 2023

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, in an unprecedented development, India has been elected president of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) General Conference (GC) for the third successive term.

• This was the first in the history of AIBD as this reflects the confidence of broadcasting organizations worldwide in India's capabilities in guiding and innovating in the field of broadcasting.

What is Asia-Pacific Institute of Broadcasting Development (AIBD)?

• About:
  • The Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) was established in 1977 under the aegis of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
  • It is a unique regional intergovernmental organization servicing countries of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in the field of electronic media development.
  • Its secretariat is situated in Kuala Lumpur and is hosted by the Government of Malaysia.
• Objective:
  • The AIBD is mandated to achieve a vibrant and cohesive electronic media environment in the Asia-Pacific region through policy and resource development.
• Founding Members:
  • The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the UNESCO and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) are founding organizations of the Institute and they are non-voting members of the General Conference.
• Members:
  • The AIBD currently has 92 member organizations from across 44 countries, including 26 government members (countries) represented by 48 broadcasting authorities and broadcasters, and 44 affiliates (organizations) represented by 28 countries and regions in Asia, Pacific, Europe, Africa, Arab States and North America.
• Asia Media Summit:
  • Asia Media Summit is the annual conference organized by (AIBD) in collaboration with its partners and international organizations.
  • The Conference is attended by Decision makers, media professionals, scholars, and stakeholders of news and programming from Asia, Pacific, Africa, Europe, Middle East, and North America.
• Secretariat:
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• India and AIBD:
  • India is one of the founding members of AIBD.
  • Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, is the representative body of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, at AIBD.

Prasar Bharti

• Prasar Bharati is a statutory autonomous body.
• It is the Public Service Broadcaster of the country.
• It was established under the Prasar Bharati Act in 1997.
• The Prasar Bharati Corporation’s main objective is to provide autonomy to Doordarshan and Akashvani in order to “educate and entertain the public.