PSM Chairperson Namzha Calls for Inclusive Broadcasting at ABU Forum

Namzha, Chairperson of Public Service Media (PSM), stated that broadcasting should not just be seen as a service provided through television, radio, and digital media, but that every individual should have the opportunity to watch, listen, participate, and understand the programs and news being broadcast. Namzha made these remarks while presenting a paper at the 15th meeting of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) taking place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The presentation, titled "Beyond Connectivity: Making Every Audience Count," was based on providing services that include every person within the audience. In this presentation, Namzha drew attention to the responsibility of broadcasters to ensure that content reaches all individuals. In her speech, Namzha said that three things must be ensured to guarantee that broadcast content reaches all individuals. These include ensuring accessible means for understanding the content, having access to the technology required to view the content, and ensuring equal representation of people from various sectors in the media. She noted that it is not possible to ensure these matters by merely providing broadcasting services, specifically pointing out that it is not guaranteed that content reaches persons with disabilities, the elderly, and those facing difficulties in using technology. "Technology should serve as a tool that facilitates access for everyone to generally broadcast content. Technology should not become something that creates additional barriers for people using that service," Namzha said. Referencing the local experience, Namzha stated that PSM incorporates sign language into major national events and some news broadcasts. Furthermore, she mentioned that measures such as adding subtitles and audio description could be taken to further expand ways of providing content to more people. Namzha said that efforts are being made to give attention to individuals who cannot be represented appropriately through PSM programs. She also stated that these matters should be arranged in a way that does not diminish the dignity of specific individuals and establishes an environment where communities can share their own experiences. She explained that such sectors can be meaningfully represented without interruption in broadcasting if these rules are prepared systematically, and that implementing these matters sporadically in occasional programs is insufficient. Namzha called upon broadcasters to demonstrate that the success of a broadcaster is not measured solely by the number of people to whom the service reaches, but that success can be fully evaluated by providing meaningful services to those receiving the service. "A benchmark for evaluating public service broadcasting is not just how far our signal travels, but rather the extent to which services are delivered meaningfully to those to whom the service reaches," she said. The 15th ABU Broadcasting For All Forum, held as part of the meetings associated with the 63rd General Assembly of ABU, provided an opportunity for leaders actively involved in the media sector and delegates from the field to meet in one place and discuss ways to build public trust by providing inclusive and representative services, and ways to ensure that all sectors are represented.