The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) is to begin a new collaboration on Early Warning Broadcasting Systems (EWBS) with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). “Broadcasters have a responsibility to educate people and raise their awareness of natural disasters and by partnering with UNESCAP, ABU welcomes the opportunity to be playing our role in this crucial endeavour,” said ABU Secretary General, David Astley.
The ABU Early Warning Broadcast Media Initiative aims to identify the technical and programming needs of broadcast media in advancing early warning systems. The Initiative addresses two key areas: firstly, on the warning side, the technical nature of how accurate and timely warnings can be delivered; and on the dissemination side, producing television and radio content on warnings that is understandable to those at risk.
Content will focus on alert dissemination and public safety messaging and preparedness and response. “The ABU/UNESCAP Initiative is an exciting collaboration that will provide a rich array of activities and information sharing for ABU members on both the technical and creative aspects of this critically important issue,” said Francyne Harrigan, ABU Development Projects Manager.
“Additionally, the new funding is a continued acknowledgement by multilaterals of the effective and critical role that ABU and its broadcasters can play in sharing with their audience’s appropriate information and highlighting the challenges that are facing the region.”
(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)
