ASIA

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he is “deeply honoured” to be part of the Saudi Media Forum, being held in Riyadh.“I can see the incredible speed with which Saudi Arabia is becoming a number one tourist destination. There is a lesson for us in the speed and decisiveness of change,” he told delegates at the forum.As an example of the changes happening in the kingdom, Johnson quoted the Saudi tech sector, where “there is 35% female participation in the work force… more than silicon valley.”Asked about his often fractious relationship with the media, Johnson said:“I didn’t always have a good relationship with the media, but the point about politicians is that they shouldn’t have a good relationship with the media. “The media is not here to tell you what a great guy you are, they’re there to hold a mirror to what you are doing. There are some media which are too hostile but responsible media are doing their job.”Politicians have to engage and tell their stories, according to Johnson, but engaging on social media can can be a double edged sword. “Social media can distort people’s understanding of the world. Social media tells people what they want to hear. Responsible media can do better than what happens on social media…”Boris Johnson has just released a memoir. The book is titled Unleashed. […]

“New opportunities in media are helping us open up to the world,” said Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud at the opening of this week’s Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh.“There is a momentum for investment in media as well as sports, tourism and many other sectors. We are changing the perspective of how the entire world views us.“I want to participate in growth, education, investment opportunities, renewable energy. I embrace investment opportunities,” the Prince told a full house during the opening session.After his opening remarks, Prince bin Salman took questions from journalists. One asked: are you sensitive about media?“We need to understand the profession of media. When I speak I try to take the view of the kingdom not of myself. We should not be ashamed of defending our position even when media put us on the spot.“I am fully committed to appear in the media. I was a former university professor. It is like university where you give a lecture but your students can challenge your ideas with discussion,” he answered.At the conference and forum there is a focus on media, the economy, energy, AI technologies, politics and entrepreneurship. There are 2000 speakers, more than 250 exhibitors and thousands of attendees at the event.

In another session on the first day of the conference titled The Future of Radio Begins Now, World DAB’s Jacqueline Bierhorst and MBC Music Group’s Group Director fo Audio Ziad Hamzh discussed the importance of being digital with session host Ghadeer Al-Shehri, a presenter at local station AlUla FM.Jacqui said: “In my own country, FM listening is 30% and the rest is digital, this is a common trend in Europe where digital broadcasting has gained a huge audience.“This session is called the future of radio, but the future of radio is already here. Digital radio is in many countries, it is the future.”To illustrate the success of digital radio, she focused on the budiness benefits. “Digitisation has opened up the possibility of more stations and more choice for listeners. It is more profitable for radio companies because DAB+ transmisison is cheaper than AM and FM, it is cost effective. It can also bring in more income because companies can offer more stations to listeners and advertisers.”When companies are embracing a digital strategy they should keep broadcasting in mind, not just focus on IP. “Broadcast radio is very robust. But will the internet always work, in disasters, in terrorism attacks? Who controls the internet pipes? Broadcast radio is important because the internet is not always reliable and not in the control of the broadcasters.”Zaid  talked about Radio Apps. “In the coming years this will become more popular as a way of listening to radio, through apps on the smart phone. You can listen to anything you like from anywhere in the world.”Commenting on the use of AI presenters in radio, Jacquie described the difference between the two types of presenter. “Live radio has somebody on the other end who makes you smile and connects you with another human. AI stations exist but they do not make the same human connection, they are not on the same frequency, they don’t connect people together with each other.” […]

The Radio Days Europe ’25 conference schedule is packed from early morning til late night for the conference days, but if you fly in early, here are some suggestions of how to spend an extra day in Athens from a well known radio industry local. Morning show presenter Penelope Anastasopoulou  from Red 96.3 finds Athens really fascinating. She says, “Athenian light and vibe is something you discover and take in as you wander around downtown, in the streets of Plaka were it all started, crossing Monastiraki’s alleys and reaching Psirri where it’s all happening.” This adds up to a day well spent in Athens. We asked Penelope to give us her recommendations of what to do in Athens for anyone coming in for Radio Days. She recommends:Start the day with…You can always start your day at your hotel’s restaurant, or visit one of many bakeries with delicious Greek pastries in almost every corner of the city! Ask for a tyropita, cheese pie, a classic Greek delicacy to start your day Greek style!Sights, favourite places, insider tipsDowntown is the place to be and you can visit a lot of different locations by foot since everything is close to each other and connected in a really interesting way. 

Get on metro station “Ampelokipi” or “Evangelismos” depending on your hotel ‘s location and get off at metro station “Monastiraki” or “Akropoli” depending on how you want to start your day.If you choose to wander around, shopping and feeling the pulse of Athens, choose “Monastiraki” station, go shopping in Ermou street and have your brunch or lunch in Psirri.If you choose to visit the Acropolis or the museum choose “Akropolis” station and then, lose yourselves around Plaka and Anafiotika.   Akropolis    https://hhticket.gr/tap_b2c_new/greek/tap.exe?PM=P1P&place=000000002Akropolis museum https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/ Coffee spots and brunch:Dioskouroi https://www.tripadvisor.com.gr/Restaurant_Review-g189400-d1819615-Reviews-Dioskouri_Cafe_Tavern-Athens_Attica.htmlMelina Merkouri café https://www.tripadvisor.com.gr/Restaurant_Review-g189400-d2622001-Reviews-Melina_Merkouri_Cafe-Athens_Attica.html LunchIf you feel tired, you can grab something to eat at the Acropolis museum, https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/kafe-estiatorioor else choose from the list below. Make sure to contact the restaurants for reservations:Restaurants:SPIROS & VASILIS https://maps.app.goo.gl/BZXYKyFKvHeFTE1q7Geco Athens https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Vd1XrdBhyD6DPNB6SUMA_Athens https://maps.app.goo.gl/kCZqVaiieTQ46w2CAMa Che Vuoi https://maps.app.goo.gl/qUNB1QCVGgaBLeAp9Herve https://maps.app.goo.gl/BzAuKn8F5qQygVgM7Sole Giaguaro Athens Italian Dining House https://maps.app.goo.gl/xa2vq2beh8Yjze3Q6Rafiki https://maps.app.goo.gl/hPQChmYtf7CyYKRC7Felicita – Aperitivo & Wine Bar https://maps.app.goo.gl/q9F8CS9xnNZH5U1x6Ergon Restaurant https://houses.ergonfoods.com/ergon-house-athens/food-experienceSouvlaki:Lefteris https://maps.app.goo.gl/s6zvL8e42s8c2eg29Kapsa https://maps.app.goo.gl/Lb7sXko8uDy6Zape6Ta koritsia (since 1977) https://maps.app.goo.gl/sNCXM2oZC1jzpNWL9  Dinner choices:Exmachina https://www.exmachinagreece.com/el/restaurant/Lost Athens https://www.lostathens.grSole Giaguaro https://solegiaguaro.gr/el/Tsiftis  https://www.facebook.com/people/tsiftis_gastrokoutouki/100078400145176/Gallina https://www.gallina.grGorlomi https://gorlomi.grProvelegios https://nolanverse.com/proveleggios/Veritable https://veritable-bistrot.grSoil https://soilrestaurant.grFlower Pizza https://flowerathens.com/el Drinks: Note this article on some great bar suggestions – https://www.thisisathens.org/nightlife/barsPlateia Mavili (metro station Megaro Mousikis)  
Kyrios 
Mpriki
Lora”s
Athina 
 Burger Disco https://www.burgerdiscoclub.comIf you prefer a cosier environment with a breathtaking view of the city visit Deos https://deosathens.gr (metro station “Panormou”) for dinner, dessert and drinks all in one place. I hope you’ll find this information helpful during your staying in Athens, where hopefully you‘ll create beautiful memories!Enjoy this year’s event About: Penelope Anastasopoulou This girl always had the radio on in her dreams and goals. After becoming an actress, singer, presenter and mother, she checked off her list of goals and wondered why this one wishful thinking of being in front of a radio microphone every day hadn’t come true. Until she was told to be absolutely clear and specific when setting goals, since the universe understood that, since she declared herself an actress, she probably meant playing the radio producer in a series, let’s say (it happened in 2013). One day she got mad at the injustice of the universe (it happens often) and while singing “I see RED” she realized that she had to look exactly where she wanted to go. Only on RED 96.3!Penelope Anastasopoulou is on air at Red 96.3, weekdays  10:00am – Noon. […]

On World Radio Day, February 13, WorldDAB released its latest infographic, which highlights the ongoing global growth of DAB+.The updated graphic shows device sales now nearing the 150 million milestone, with the fast-growing markets of France and Australia leading the way with sales of receivers now over 10 million each, alongside the well-established DAB+ auto market. Sales in eleven core markets now total 145,195,000, and almost all new cars across Europe come with DAB+ as standard.In France, this is coupled with DAB+ coverage now exceeding 60% of the population, and in Spain, public broadcaster RTVE is heading towards the goal of 50% coverage with the recent addition of transmitters covering the metropolitan areas of Valladolid and Zaragosa.The infographic is published by WorldDAB — the global industry forum for DAB+ digital radio — on February 13 to mark UNESCO’s World Radio Day, reflecting broadcast radio’s vital role as a relatively free and portable public safety net during emergencies, as well as the democratic value of radio to serve as a connection within underserved groups, and the companionship it can bring as a friendly voice whenneeded. This year’s theme is “Radio and Climate Change.”WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst said: “13 February is an important day in the global calendar for anyone as passionate about broadcast radio as me and the members of the WorldDAB family. Today we can share new data showing how DAB+ continues to grow in both new and established markets around the world. This, coupled with our new DAB+ Automatic Safety Alerts, which can provide life-saving warnings of environmental emergencies such as storms and flooding, demonstrates the critical role of broadcast radio.”The infographic can be downloaded from the WorldDAB website.Data from the new infographic will also be highlighted in WorldDAB keynote sessions at the Saudi Media Forum on 19 – 21 February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Digital Broadcasting Symposium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 24 – 27 February. […]

Radio DYUP 102.7 FM, Philippines, has won the first edition of the international contest “Radio bridges – Joint actions for the climate”, launched by COPEAM with the support of UNESCO as part of the 2025 World Radio Day.The competition aims to promote and support exchanges between radios around the world that encourage local and global solutions to this planetary emergency, while emphasizing collaboration, innovation and the promotion of intercultural dialogue.COPEAM (Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators) is a not-for-profit association devoted to the promotion of inter-cultural dialogue and media cooperation in the Mediterranean region.The contest saw the participation of 18 countries from almost all over the world: Gulf, Asia, Central America, Africa, MENA Region, Europe.The Jury, composed of members of radio networks and platforms representing all continents and all types of radio – community and associative, private and commercial, public, cultural, university and educational – evaluated the applications received, in order to decide on the best project dedicated to climate change with a collaborative and, where possible, transnational approach.“Ang Seawall sa Miagao” (The Seawalls of Miagao) by Radio DYUP 102.7 FM (Philippines) – a documentary realized in the framework of a collaboration with DW Academy and submitted in the “Representation of Women and Vulnerable People” category of the contest, won the award.It also earned praise from various members of the jury.AMARC said: “A strong initiative that highlights the impact of seawall constructions on coastal communities in the Philippines. It effectively illustrates the environmental and social challenges related to this technical solution, while giving a voice to fishermen, women, and vulnerable individuals.”

OSBU said: “Very good scientific approach to a climate problem, academically structured and engaging.”“A well thought out and executed documentary that really features the voices of lived experience (fishermen etc). The level of creativity and production was also high,” said ABU. The international jury included:Click here to read the script in English of the winning entry (produced in the local Hiligaynon language) […]

Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil expressed his hope that radio continues to be an agent for unity, transcending all divides and fostering a sense of togetherness among people of various backgrounds.In a statement marking World Radio Day on February 13, Fadzil emphasised that radio plays an indispensable role in providing information, promoting education, and encouraging social cohesion across diverse communities.“For many years, radio has been an essential medium for disseminating knowledge, entertainment, and educational content to the public,” he said.The minister also extended his gratitude to radio professionals, both on-air talents and those working behind the scenes, acknowledging their tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to the medium.“Thank you to all radio staff for your continued efforts. Your hard work does not go unnoticed. Happy World Radio Day!” he wrote in a Facebook post. […]