Our 2024 Global Grantees have returned!

I visited RNZ Asia with an objective to understand their workflows and their ways of reaching their target audience. The team at RNZ Asia, and their manager Elliott Samuels in particular, were extremely helpful and took time to explain their working processes and the ways they work towards their communities and tell me about how they share their stories to the colleagues at the general news at RNZ. I got to sit down and interview both the reporters working towards the Indian community, Gaurav Sharma and Blessen Tom, and the editors, translators and reporters working towards the Chinese community: Liu Chen, Duoya Lu and Ruth Kuo. I had a chat with the video reporter working for the Chinese team as well, Yiting Lin.

I was also introduced to, and given the opportunity to ask questions from the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of RNZ (and the president of the PMA Board) Paul Thompson; Head of News Mark Stevens; Executive Editor Jeremy Rees (who was a part of the team that originally came up and pitched the idea of RNZ Asia to NZ on Air, which now funds the initiative), and the day editors at the news desk. I also got to chat with the person responsible for audience research at RNZ, and exchange ideas and ways of working with audience research at Swedish Radio and RNZ.

It was great to see how many similar points our reporting has, even though we work in different cultural contexts. These include intercultural issues, such as discussions on how much focus we need to have on explaining phenomena and cultural concepts, whether it’s a majority issue we are reporting about to the minority community, or an issue that arises from the minority community that we want to report about in an inclusive way, so that even the majority community can understand and take part of our work.

It also included immigration issues, health care issues, stories about growing old in a country you weren’t born in, just to share a few examples.

I also shared some of the ways that we at Sveriges Radio Finska could work with the team at RNZ. We have recently defined our “unique selling points”, that is, topics that we want to best cover at Swedish Radio, and in Sweden. These topics include for example, news that arises from the border that Sweden and Finland share, and topics like how public service institutions fulfill their obligations to serve the minority communities. I also showed our recording equipment and shared some content that NPR Training has produced and that I have found useful in my work.

At the end of my visit, I was (digitally) introduced to Matthew O’Sullivan, Managing Editor at Asia Pacific at ABC News, and had a chat with him after I’d returned on how ABC covers the issues of the Chinese community in Australia. He, in his turn, promised to introduce me to SBS Language team in Australia. This trip just keeps on giving even when I’m back home! I feel like my time with RNZ Asia was useful and inspiring, co-operation between public media broadcasters at its best. I got so much, and thanks to this visit, I now look forward to talking to yet another public service media colleague serving a minority audience in Australia. I will keep in contact with the colleagues at RNZ to exchange ideas.

I have already told my colleagues at Sveriges Radio Finska about my experience at a meeting, and Swedish Radio’s internal communication team has asked me to send pictures from my trip to write an article about my time with RNZ on our intranet and on Swedish Radios LinkedIn account.

My experience with Radio New Zealand is connected to the Sustainable Development Goals when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion (Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries). When a more diverse newsroom, that represents the society that it is reporting about when it comes to for example ethnicity or knowledge of minority languages and communities, produces content for the audience from a minority perspective, everyone wins. Both the mainstream audience, who get more perspectives, and the minority communities that feel represented in the public media sphere when it comes to the choosing of topics, and the journalists reporting about them. The more diverse the staff, the more diverse and inclusive the content becomes.

It was great to see that even though we are geographically apart, we have a lot in common: challenges in reaching the audience, how to tackle them, ideas on how to distribute our material and even topics that we cover. I was impressed by the way the rest of the RNZ has received the newcomer RNZ Asia – everyone that I met was being supportive to them and wanted their reporting to be a part of the general news reporting as well. RNZ Asia is included in the work of the general newsroom from the planning stage to broadcast and digital publishing. We at Swedish Radio could learn from them.

All in all I was impressed by the way RNZ embraces diversity and has chosen to put money and effort in teams reporting for and about minority communities in times where mainstream (TV) news in the country are being forced to cut down drastically, and the media landscape is shaking all the way to the government: the same day I started my travel towards New Zealand, their media minister was sacked. Minority journalism is seen as an important thing both for the target groups in question, but also for the mainstream news at RNZ. This is something I specifically told my colleagues at Swedish Radio about.

RNZ has a “radical sharing” policy with other news media outlets that might be applicable in our context. RNZ Asia has been active towards the journalism schools in New Zealand to find journalists with the language skills and cultural knowledge that they are looking for. Their example is an inspiration to me. I also take with me some ideas for new stories or concepts. “We decode India, things that people think that they know – but they don’t”, said one of the RNZ Asia reporters. I would like to explore this idea with my team at home: how can we decode Finnish topics for the wider audience in Sweden.

I am truly grateful to have been so well received by everyone at RNZ, and for PMA and Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust for giving me the chance to travel to Auckland.

Overview of ABC Australia International Development (ABCID)

I had several chances to participate in ABC International Development (ABCID) team’s meeting. ABCID showcased a robust framework for promoting media development and capacity building initiatives among countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The team emphasized the importance of fostering strong partnerships with international organisations and media institutions to enhance media literacy, promote freedom of expression, and support sustainable media ecosystems. The work of ABC Asia and ABC Pacific seems to be a very great way for ABC to be involved with allies across the ocean, united with their beautiful common Polynesian cultural elements. Their innovative projects and programs aimed at empowering communities through media engagement were particularly inspiring.

Key Learnings:

1. Strategic Partnerships: ABC International Development’s emphasis on strategic partnerships resonates with Thai PBS’s commitment to collaborating with international partners for mutual benefit. Exploring opportunities for joint projects and knowledge exchange could strengthen both organisations’ impact on media development.
2. Innovative Media Initiatives: The visit exposed me to various innovative media initiatives, such as multimedia storytelling and digital content distribution strategies. Integrating similar approaches into Thai PBS’s programming could enhance audience engagement and reach, especially among younger demographics.
3. Capacity Building: The focus on capacity building through training programs and mentorship schemes highlighted the importance of investing in human capital. Thai PBS could explore areas for staff exchanges and training opportunities with ABC to mutually enhance our team’s skills and expertise.

Overview of ABC Commercial Team

ABC Commercial Team, led by Jessica Ellis, demonstrated a comprehensive approach to content distribution, licensing, and merchandising, leveraging the organisation’s vast content library. Their expertise in maximizing the commercial potential of intellectual property (IP) assets showcased opportunities for revenue generation and brand extension beyond traditional public media broadcasting. We seek to understand and learn how to balance between the work of the ABC Commercial’s content sales team and the ABC International Development team’s Content Distribution, since Thai PBS also needs to do it in the near future.

Potential Areas for Collaboration:
– Content Exchange and Licensing: Exploring opportunities for content exchange and licensing agreements between Thai PBS and ABC could enrich both organisations’ content libraries and cater to diverse audience preferences.
– Digital Platforms and Distribution: Collaboration on digital platforms and content distribution strategies could enhance Thai PBS’s online presence and accessibility, leveraging ABC’s experience in digital innovation and audience engagement.
– Merchandising and Brand Extension: Thai PBS could learn hugely from the way ABC set up their Commercial Team to develop branded merchandise and promotional materials, expanding our brand presence and generating additional revenue streams.

The visit to ABC Kids’ shooting set and a discussion with Fiona Yaglipinar are good expressions of the ABC’s dedication to providing high-quality, educational, and entertaining content for young audiences. Through engaging programming, interactive digital platforms, and educational resources, ABC Children Content plays a crucial role in early childhood development and learning. Their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and child safety was evident in the breadth of content offerings and initiatives aimed at promoting positive social values and cultural awareness.

Potential Areas for Collaboration – ABC Children Content:
– Educational Programming: Collaborating with ABC Children Content presents an opportunity for Thai PBS to enhance its educational programming for children, leveraging ABC’s expertise in curriculum-aligned content and interactive learning experiences.
– Digital Engagement: Exploring partnerships in digital content development and interactive platforms could enhance Thai PBS’s online offerings for young audiences, fostering creativity, exploration, and digital literacy skills.
– Cultural Exchange: Collaborating on co-production projects or content exchanges could introduce Thai children to Australian culture and vice versa, promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation from an early age.

Overview of ABC Radio Content

Steve Ahern, Manager of ABC Radio Sydney, kindly allowed me to participate in the Sydney Radio team editorial meeting and showed me around the recording studios and their office, showcasing the organisation’s diverse range of radio programs catering to various interests, demographics, and regions across Australia. From news and current affairs to music, entertainment, and cultural programming, ABC Radio plays a vital role in informing, entertaining, and connecting communities nationwide. Their commitment to quality journalism, community engagement, and digital outreach and innovations were evident in the breadth and depth of radio content offerings. Since Thai PBS Radio Service is very young and Thai PBS has not been allocated with a frequency, our reach and our service remain quite limited. We have plenty to learn from the experienced, far more developed ABC Radio, with their huge coverage of around 7.5 million audiences per week.

Key Learnings – ABC Radio:

1. Radio Programming Exchange: Exploring opportunities for radio programming exchange or collaborative projects (English-cultural learning content for the Thai PBS audience, or Thai current affairs content for the Thai resident communities in Australia) could broaden the scope of content available to audiences in Thailand and Australia, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
2. Community Engagement: Collaborating on community-focused initiatives and radio outreach programs could strengthen ties between Thai PBS and local communities, amplifying voices, and addressing relevant issues.
3. Digital Innovation: Leveraging ABC Radio’s expertise in digital innovation and podcasting, Thai PBS could explore opportunities to enhance its digital radio offerings, reach new audiences, and adapt to evolving media consumption trends.

The PMA Global Grants strengthen Thai PBS by fostering mutual learning among fellow public service media members. Together with Thai PBS’s intention to enhance financial sustainability, provide diverse and comprehensive content and ensure editorial independence, this flexibility will allow Thai PBS to better serve society by promoting inclusive dialogue on critical issues. As a result, Thai PBS shall reach its higher potential in working to reduce inequalities, promote life-long and out-of-class learning for all to keep the citizens informed and participate in creating sustainable communities that finally contribute to a more socially and environmentally responsible society.

Sustainable Development Goals: The PMA Global Grants strengthen Thai PBS by fostering mutual learning among fellow public service media members. Together with Thai PBS’s intention to enhance financial sustainability, provide diverse and comprehensive content and ensure editorial independence, this flexibility will allow Thai PBS to better serve society by promoting inclusive dialogue on critical issues. As a result, Thai PBS shall reach its higher potential in working to reduce inequalities (Goal 10), promote life-long and out-of-class learning for all (Goal 4) to keep the citizens informed and participate in creating sustainable communities that finally contribute to a more socially and environmentally responsible society (Goal 11).

The study visit to ABC International Development, ABC Commercial Team, News Team and Radio Service provided valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration between Thai PBS and ABC. By leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise, both organisations can contribute to the advancement of media development, audience engagement, and sustainable broadcasting practices. We are currently in an on-going process of reviewing a contract for content exchange.

In addition to the insights gained from ABC International Development and ABC Commercial Team, the visit to ABC children Content and ABC Radio showed further opportunities for collaboration and partnership between Thai PBS and ABC. Thai PBS Research and Development centre is very much eager to learn from ABC’s Innovation Lab team, so there will definitely be more reaching out to ABC in the future. By exploring inspiring joint initiatives in children’s programming, digital engagement, educational resources, radio content, and community engagement, both organisations can leverage their strengths to enrich content offerings, foster cross-cultural exchange, and advance media development initiatives. Moving forward, Thai PBS remains committed to fostering meaningful partnerships and driving innovation in the media landscape.

Upon arriving on day one, I was impressed by how the day started; first lesson learnt was that production is all about timing. I instantly was able to observe the play out studio automation system and news production by the Thai broadcaster team. During the training period I was involved mostly by being involved with all the stages of automation systems. I was informed about the technical aspects of the automation system by Kullapat Chankrailas, Chief Producer of Thai PBS. Through them I acquired great knowledge about the automation systems. In return I was able to exchange methods and challenges about BTV’s on-going plan of implementing automation systems and received helpful suggestions back in many different aspects of this.

During the week I visited the Thai PBS world newsroom. Ms Ruthai Thamsatha, Head of Global Partnership and Strategy, showed me the newsroom, staff and set up plus briefed me in the operational systems of Thai PBS news. I witnessed news production and workflow of the newsroom. I learnt that in production, it is not just a one person or one stage at work, it flows from the producer to the cameraman and ends with the editors. I was informed that Thai PBS is broadcasting news content in both Thai and English languages. I learned a lot through the news unit of Thai PBS world. I also shared the operational system of BTV’s news department – how we work, what systems are in place with staff members I met.

During the visit of Thai PBS world, Clare Patchimmnon, Thai PBS world editor informed me about their news reporting procedures and news gathering systems. I gained so much knowledge that in my imagination I became a reporter for Thai PBS at that time! I was also involved in the mini studio and digital content production team of Thai PBS. Kitipat Chuensukjit, senior content creator of Thai PBS briefed me how to research stories and make diverse and exciting content.

In addition, I have shared my 18 years of working experience in Bangladesh Television (BTV) with my colleagues at Thai PBS. In particular, I shared with them the technique of connecting reporters from the filming spot during the news to present the latest information of the event straight to the audience. I think the Thai PBS colleagues also learned something from it and I hope that it will be useful in the future for them. Meanwhile, I have presented my experience of visiting Thai PBS in the weekly news meeting at BTV. Bangladesh Television took my feedback and have already made some additions to the automation systems in our organisation.

I think that through the implementation of this automation system, Bangladesh Television will go one step further in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. I feel the specific goals that reflect my experience the most closely are the following:

Goal 8 – Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

Goal 9 – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

First of all, I thank the Public Media Alliance for giving me the opportunity and funding to take part in this activity. A huge thanks to the Thai PBS for hosting me for an amazing seven days. I am very happy to build a new personal-level network with Thai PBS colleagues from this trip which will be sustained and nurtured in the days to come. The sharing of Thai PBS’s experience on automation systems has enriched my practical knowledge of the systems. The experience gained through the visit will be highly beneficial for upgrading my own organisation’s automation systems. I would also like to thank Jnani Pongpakatien, global partnership relations officer of Thai PBS for her cordial efforts. Thanks to my organisation Bangladesh Television for allowing me to be a part of this travel.

Now I am confident that I will be able to put to action all that I have learn and will be able to adopt Play out and studio automation systems in Bangladesh Television.

This visit included opportunities for me to engage with local and visiting Pacific media who work in radio, print, web and social content, plus photojournalism. My first introduction was to Floyd Takeuchi, a softly spoken man with a ‘news nose’ and keen eye behind a camera. Born in the Marshall Islands, Floyd has worked in the industry for decades, at one stage as the managing editor for Fiji’s Daily Post and also held a myriad of roles in news and magazine journalism in Japan and Hawai’i. He was contracted by Fiji’s Island Business magazine to take photos for the next edition’s cover and feature article. Floyd brought seasoned calm and encouragement, checking in with me every few days during what a whirlwind experience. He seemed to know everyone in the industry and also gave me some interview tips for articles that I’m looking at. I could have sat for hours just listening to his stories. My time with Floyd reaffirmed the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. His photojournalism work advocates for his home country, which has been the subject of nuclear testing and climate change, which also lends itself to Goal 13 – Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Next was PBS Hawai’i, the only indigenous-owned TV channel in Hawai’i. Jody Shiroma, VP of Communications and Chuck Parker, Content VP took me around their offices, where they have 36 staff and seven part time roles for students. They produce a range of TV programmes including ‘Home is Here’ – a 30 minute lifestyle programme, usually with three stories per week. They are also in the process of digitising their archives and have found a new audience for their ‘classics’ footage and are putting it on YouTube for longevity. Only 15% of their operating budget comes from government funding, and the remainder is covered through donations and grants. Pledge drives are a regular part of their programming schedule. They have a 60 minute weekly current affairs show – ‘Insights’, that is live, and they are preparing to host town hall debates for the August primaries and the mayoralty election. They received funding for a climate change initiative, one of 23 PBS stations to do so and are working on stories to raise climate awareness.

They also have Hiki Nō – a mentorship programme that provides journalism and studio production experience for students aged 14-18, who are guided to prep, shoot and edit news stories. They come in twice a month for this process, which also counts towards school credits. PBS offer suggestions and include students in the editing process. They are an example of Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Fostering innovation and building sustainable work pipelines into the journalism industry for youth.

Next was Ka Wai Ola, a newspaper printing 60,000 copies per month. They are based within the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, an organisation set up for the betterment of kanaka maoli and print some columns in the indigenous language. We started with formal handshakes and left with hugs and promises of keeping in touch and plans for future collaboration. Although their team is just a handful of people, editor Lisette “Pua” Fernandez-Akamine guided me to their hub where we sat as a group and talked about our work, the challenges of telling indigenous stories and some of the differences in how stories can be portrayed on mainstream platforms.

Kelli Soileau is their social media person and showed me the videos and photos they’d been able to post in the past few days and what that looked like. What struck me was the time put into archiving, and the correct labelling of photos and footage for longevity. These former editions, along with filmed content and documents, are dated and put into appropriate folders. Their work exemplifies Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Building accountable and inclusive institutions and providing access to justice.

The final stop was Hawai’i Public Radio. This organisation has a cumulative audience of 160,000 per week and is the most similar to what we do at PMN. They have two radio stations, one classical and one local, covering events, arts news, and music. Their main news output is from the Morning Edition radio from 5-9am on weekdays, then a daily one-hour talk show called the Conversation. They have a recording room which also doubles as an intimate performance venue. Managing editor Jason Ubay discussed some of the challenges of moving from a purely radio format to also having a digital presence and an accessible archive of their work. They are also 94% member-funded and take pride in being ‘owned by listeners.’ This work encompasses Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation by being almost entirely self-funded, and digitising their work for longevity.

Every newsroom is different, but I was consistently impressed with the resilience and passion that journalists hold to tell stories that matter and challenge the status quo. That purpose is a common driver, despite dwindling news team numbers. Each organisation had a mixture of breaking, current, and long term projects, and there are some examples of different workflow practices that I’ll be suggesting to our team for covering events, along with long term ideas for collaborating with local schools and a structure for how stories are documented and archived as historic documentation. Every medium is moving towards more digital content, such as social media output, podcasts, and using their live radio or TV broadcasts to fuel their content.

I would like to thank each organisation and individuals for hosting me: Floyd Takeuchi, PBS Hawaii, Ka Wai Ola newspaper, and Hawai’i Public Radio. Thank you to the Public Media Association Global Grant for an unforgettable opportunity, especially Keiran Turner for your gentle prompts with upcoming deadlines. Also, to my managers, Susana Guttenbeil and chief of news Justin Latif for releasing me from the newsroom for a week and a half.

Through my observations, I saw the organisation follow a well-structured schedule for both radio and TV programming, which includes morning shows, entertainment, and educational programs. I participated in meetings, engaged with presenters, and shadowed employees during their daily tasks.

I had the opportunity to speak to several producers who emphasised the importance of understanding their audience preferences, from these interactions and observations I learned that the success of a well-structured schedule lies in the ability to balance several types of content, which cater to different segments. I also learnt that to remain flexible is critical in maintaining high-quality programming that is informative, educational, and entertaining.

On May 25th and 26th, during Guyana’s Independence celebration, I participated in a major production in the Linden area. I gained valuable insights into camera operation and signal transmission for large-scale productions. In doing so I also observed seamless collaboration across various departments, including effective communication and careful planning. I have noted the importance of technical expertise in delivering high-quality content.

As part of my time with NCN Guyana I was able to participate and complete one of their training courses which I thoroughly enjoyed. The course – Studio Camera Operations and Broadcast Technician – will be hugely beneficial to me and taught me new skills which I will continue to develop in my professional career.

Throughout the two weeks, I gained significant knowledge in several key areas:

• Technical Skills: The intricacies of camera operation and signal transmission, crucial for large-scale productions.
• Planning and Coordination: Well-structured schedules and detailed planning to ensure smooth operations.
• Communication: Recognising the role of effective communication within and across departments to maintain a cohesive workflow.
• Production Techniques: Acquiring firsthand experience in the production process, from pre-production planning to post-production editing.
• Broadcasting Standards: Standards and protocols needed to maintain high-quality broadcasting.

This experience will significantly enhance my position at Radio Montserrat by providing valuable insights into effective content planning and audience engagement strategies.

My experience and observations have contributed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. I am committed to contributing to and promoting these through my work and content. The goals that best mirror my experience and further work are: Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being by sharing and broadcasting well-being content for all ages, as well as Goal 4 – Quality Education – by creating engaging programs that promote quality educational initiatives.

My visit to the NCN broadcasting organisation in Guyana was hugely beneficial and a highly enriching experience. An important observations for me was that NCN uses a structured approach to daily tasks, combined with effective communication and technical expertise – this ensures delivery of high-quality content to their audience. I was able to provide recommendations to the staff at NCN on some key areas in radio broadcasting that maintains content relevance and impact. This collaborative learning environment will benefit both Radio Montserrat and NCN by enriching our respective programming strategies and strengthening our commitment to quality broadcasting. The knowledge and skills I have gained during this period will significantly enhance my broadcasting capabilities.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the NCN broadcasting organisation’s Department and staff, just to mention a few Mr. Lee Glen, Mr. Victor Vanvield, Ms. Zenella Marks, Ms. Roddy Baird, Ms. Joyce Hendricks, and Ms. Lissette Nurse for their support, guidance, and willingness to share their expertise which made this experience invaluable. I am especially grateful to all staff I encountered and who took the time to mentor me and involve me in various projects and activities.

The first day started on a very high note with me and my host at the NBC, Ms Ronel Herman, planning the week ahead.  My very first meeting was with the Chief Executive Officer of the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (NASCAM).  NASCAM licences musical users such as broadcasters for the right to use any music which it controls. The royalty fees are assessed according to the nature and extent of music usage as well as the capacity or income of the licensee’s business. Users of music like the NBC are obliged in terms of their licence agreement with NASCAM, to submit performance returns indicating the number of performances that has been broadcast in their establishments.

Although NASCAM allocates royalties for all works that are captured on the transmission reports – it can only distribute royalties to those rights holders whose works have been properly documented and who are members of NASCAM or an affiliated society. The relationship between the NBC and NASCAM is underway and is on a progressive path to ensure that the creative sector will benefit from the use of their work.

The meeting was followed by a tour of the NBC Radio Center. NBC has eleven radio stations broadcasting in all the different languages in Namibia.  I was quite impressed as we only have two national radio stations and three private radio stations at the moment in Botswana. This means that a lot of local music is submitted and documented before being broadcast by the different stations at the NBC.  Although we as broadcasters use different systems to broadcast, what is important are the processes we use in our daily activities. At the NBC, all news bulletins and broadcasted content are archived and preserved for future use. The scripts and the audio are filed and saved on the Dalet system.  Other copies are put on tapes and sent to the national archives for archiving and future use by the public.

Due to the digitization era that the world has embraced, the NBC has also embarked on a project of moving all music and audio-visual content from old formats into new and digitized formats. After digitization, some of the old LPs are now used as décor in the corridors of the Radio stations, making them very creative and beautiful. When one considers the Sustainable Development Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth – my experience recognised the importance of sustained economic growth as well as better prospects for personal development and social integration. This is because, with the new knowledge I have now acquired, I will be in a better position to cascade all that I have learnt to make improvements and efficiency at DBS. Therefore, these opportunities that are offered by the PMA should be highly commended.

After an illustrious tour of the Radio Centre, the next day was followed by a tour of the NBC TV Centre to appreciate of the documentation and archiving processes there. They use a different colour coding system for filing the daily schedules for the different television channels – and use the ABCD cataloguing system. Once programs have been broadcast, the documentation is completed using the SI Media as a Media Asset Management System. The Archivists work closely with the program producers to ensure that all documentation is complete before the programmes can be archived and a copy is sent to the National Archives. Only local programmes and news bulletins are archived. International programs are broadcast according to the license agreement and then returned back to the supplier for further distribution.

The NBC takes the issue of national heritage very seriously and are in the process of documentation and archiving all broadcasted local material. All employees understand that it is a process that simply must be followed and adhered to at all times – it is non-negotiable. In fact, interestingly enough, the slogan for NBC is, “It is ours” so ownership of all broadcasted material is somewhat very personal. All that has been broadcast is put into tapes and submitted to the National Archives. The National Archives of Namibia is in the process of digitization and therefore access to their archival material is indeed at your fingertips!

My last day at the NBC was a very emotional one for me as the Director General and his Senior Leadership team took me out for lunch.  On a personal level, what I learnt about Namibia is that the kindness, heart and spirit of the people is what first grabs you. They not only give but give in abundance.

Before leaving, I had an opportunity to do an interview with the NBC Public Relations unit to sum up my experience during the week and share with them what I had learnt.

I would like to send my heartfelt gratitude to the Public Media Alliance (PMA) and the Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Fund for giving to me the opportunity and privilege to undertake this benchmarking exercise.  A special thank you to the Director General of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Stanley Similo and his Board of Directors for the authority and a very warm welcome while I was there. Many thanks to Ms Ronel Herman who was the reason I chose to go the NBC in the first place. Her wealth of knowledge and experience in Information and Records Management is second to none. I am confident that I will be able to put to action most of what I was able to learn to produce more efficiency and effectiveness in the Copyright and Media Management Section. I also learnt to appreciate that it is not all about the equipment and the technology – clearly defined processes and self-discipline all employees all contribute to positive results in an organisation.

The cooperation and hospitality of RTM team was amazing. To accomplish my purposes I visited several divisions of RTM such as Strategic Development Planning Division, Interactive Digital Media Division and Radio Programme Division to learn about their New Media Strategies for digital audio broadcasting system. Besides, I also visited their Central Library, Video Archiving, Radio Archiving and one of the most popular FM Radio Channel of RTM “Traxxfm”.

For gathering knowledge, I met the authorities of above mentioned divisions. Mr. Allex, Director, Strategic Development Planning, Mr. Ivan, Director, Interactive Digital Media Division, Ms. Radha, Assistant Director, Interactive Digital Media Division, Mr. Zaidi, attached officer to Interactive Digital Media Division and Director of Radio Programme Division all shared their ideas about present activities and future plans. A special thanks to  Ms. Nusami, Station Manager of one of the popular national FM radios of Kuala Lumpur “Traxxfm” to make me acquainted with their innovative idea “Radio on Location” in Taylor’s University, Malaysia.

I am also grateful to my coordinator and mentor in RTM, Ms. Noorzihidayah Md. Noor, Deputy Assistant Director of International Relations Department, who is a talented officer with a lovely heart.  She guided me properly to achieve my goals and gave her valuable time and knowledge by introducing RTM to me.

My project aims to increase radio listeners through applying innovative ideas on different new media platforms to attract listeners. As a mass media, Bangladesh Betar broadcasts a lot of SDG related issues in Bangladesh, for instance, child health, poverty reduction, sanitation, climate change, women empowerment, gender issue, investment policy, social safety net – all to inform people. If I contribute to increase the number of listeners of Bangladesh Betar, it will be easier to promote the goals of SDG more effectively and efficiently.

This was my first time visiting an international broadcasting organisation. The most rewarding aspect of visiting RTM was understanding their national broadcasting operations. The harmonisation between different departments of RTM was particularly surprising for me. This experience provided me a thoughtful appreciation for delivering radio programmes to the public. Moreover, the opportunity to interact with the broadcast professionals and learn about their strategies for dealing with technological advancements is precious to me. This visit not only enhanced my knowledge of the media industry but also inspired me to think innovatively for working in public service broadcasting. I got first hand insights from the innovative strategies and technologies employed by RTM and now realise the dynamics of audience engagement process in RTM.

In the short term, I will share the knowledge and insights gathered from RTM with my colleagues to foster our professional development. Additionally, I will apply the strategies used in RTM within my organisation to scope-up the challenges of recent technological advancements faced by public service broadcasters.

Audience engagement is the key impact of my project in the long term. Therefore, for enhancing their audience engagement, Bangladesh Betar may replicate the strategies used in RTM and utilise new media platforms more effectively to interact with the audience. Besides, we can conduct technology based audience research for getting listeners’ feedback and acquiring their requirements instantly, which is indispensable in this era of 4IR. This will help us to understand the listeners’ preferences and tailor our contents accordingly.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to PMA and the Grace Wyndham Goldie Trust for awarding me this generous grant and giving this unique opportunity. This grant will have significant impact on my professional competency.

This experience was one of transformational viewing. Every turn I saw a different, more advanced way of operating. For my project it was always about finding out how research can help in making our programming better. I realised that creating content with the help of the corporate world is a good way to get funding, cross promote and embed products in drama content.

I worked with Fani Matsebane Commissioning Editor and sat with him in a few of his presentations for selecting production houses for commissioned work. This led me to get my hands on the scoring system they use to come to such a decision.

Mbali Ngcobese is the Commissioning Editor for Education. She was with me to visit the home of drama series Skeem Saam. This was another eye opener, and an insight into the intricacies of the operation of having a long running drama show like this. She shared with me the cost implications, processes and budget. Skeem Saam started off as a 13-part series and because of its popularity – grew to 520 episodes a year! I saw different facilities such as: permanent wardrobe, a moveable studio, editing suites and a make-up area.

I also had the privilege of meeting Costas Gavriel – the series producer for Generation, another legendary drama for the SABC. With Costas Gavriel we mainly touched on the challenges and how to deal with them before they arise. These included having contracts with exit or repercussion clauses and how to tweak scenes if an actor is unable to continue etc. I really think these engagements will impact my career in a long run – including how to plan for contingencies.

I really hope that NBC will consider the recommendations of this visit and start a drama that will help achieve a lot of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including creating employment equity for many. This will grow the economy on many fronts – Goal 8. Sustainable Goal Number 9 can also be tackled in this regard because if there is an infrastructure being used it can really encourage young minds to be innovative; with the creation of wardrobes, make-up areas and studios, vocational graduates will almost certainly be guaranteed employment as stylists, make-up artists, plumbers and general handy men and women.

The inequality and disparities between Namibia and South Africa are evident from my visit. If small steps are not taken by countries like Namibia, the gap in television production will widen and it needs to be closed. Namibia for example, has 71.1 % of its population as people below the age of 35. These are young people, and they need to be involved in television dramas, especially those tackling social issues.

In conclusion I would like to start by thanking the Public Media Alliance and the Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Global Grant for this opportunity to visit SABC and embark on this enlightening journey. This was an insightful yet educative journey that has opened many opportunities both for the SABC and NBC.

This journey has provided avenues for solutions that the NBC faces and how to solve them. These vary from simple episodes being pre-recorded and used as a back-up during a live interruption.

I hope to share my experience and solutions with my fellow co-workers and implement what I have discovered. I will also do a documentary which I hope to share with PMA applying the research principles I have discovered.

On Thursday 29 March 2024 at 10:00 NBC and SABC sport department had their first online meeting with NBC’s Sackie Shikufa and Orapeleng Lebethe (Production Manager at SABC Sport). The meeting discussed possible ways to collaborate and share content. This is one of many meetings that I will mediate and liaise to forge an agreement between the two entities.

During the first couple of days, I experienced many elements of production such as outside broadcasting, common technical difficulties in media and quick resolutions to setbacks. I learnt about, and took notes on, several procedures that I believe could be beneficial to ‘Open Your Eyes’ [the show I produce back home] such as:

• Using a stopwatch during broadcast
• Implementing brief review chats regarding the rundown before the morning show starts
• Routine recap meetings post show

For four days I was with the ‘Smile Jamaica’ crew from RJRGLEANER’s morning show, and I was fortunate enough to work with four different producers. I spent time behind the scenes experiencing what pre-production, production and post-productions looks like and also how they go about booking content, stories and people for Smile.

I experienced production enhancement, innovative techniques and content diversity including gathering a range of topics such as news, documentaries and fun entertainment. The production at RJR is similar to Channel 5’s morning show – we both aim for audience engagement and talent development. I learnt that RJR has about the same concept as we do for ‘Open Your Eyes’, but they do have a much larger staff and much larger production room.

I also took one day to experience what production is like in the evening news production department. It was exactly as I expected it would be, busy and a huge team. In Belize we do not have a producer in the news department and visiting RJR shows me how one producer can be very beneficial to producing a news cast.

While in Jamaica I was able to provide the morning show team with my own ideas on how to handle glitches such as a late guest, the camera cutting off and I also provided them with content ideas to a segment called “Check in With the Caribbean-Belize edition.” We did produce one show where I invited Kim Vasquez, Director of ICCA on the show and she shared some of her Festival of Arts program in the morning show. It was a last minute call but with the right communications it was then successful.

When visiting RJR in Jamaica I was initially a bit nervous. I am the only producer at Channel5 in Belize and walking into a company as large as RJR with five producers was nerve wracking, but it also gave me courage at the same time. I wanted to see the level of professionalism, commitment, creativity, techniques, plus engagement and audience feedback. I received some ideas that I immediately brought back home with me, and I learnt about different production techniques, technologies, and workflows. I gained insights into successful strategies and best practices that can be implemented in my workplace. I also built relationships with industries which can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and future opportunities.

I was exposed to new ideas and creative approaches that inspired me and I discovered innovative ways to solve common production challenges. I gained a deeper understanding of the working culture and environment of another media company. I learnt how different organisational cultures impact productivity and creativity.

I also took some time to talk to the technical crew to learn more about Technology and Equipment Familiarity. And it was beneficial due to the new technologies and equipment that my company is considering adopting. I also learnt a bit about “enhancing your company’s reputation” by building relationships and showcasing your interest in continuous improvement.

There was a lot that I brought home with me, and I am looking forward to implementing them at my workplace and teaching my fellow colleagues my new ideas and techniques. Visiting another media company outside of your country can indeed enhance your knowledge. There was always room for growth in my line of work and I’m thankful for the team at RJR for working with me and for getting me ready for the future Channel5.