ASIA

Russian news agency radio Sputnik has taken over the frequency previously used by BBC Arabic in Lebanon, according to a statement published on Sputnik’s website on Monday.The BBC stopped its Lebanon-based broadcasting due to lack of funding in January.Sputnik’s 24-hour Arabic broadcast will also be available in neighbouring Syria.

The programming will include talk shows hosted by renowned Arab journalists and programs covering a wide range of topics from Cairo and Moscow.Additionally, the Sputnik Arabic frequency will air programs produced by RT Arabic.Sputnik Arabic began broadcasting on February 4, 2015. The same year, a multimedia hub agency was opened in Cairo. Sputnik Arabic includes Arabic website and news feeds. The FM-radio broadcasting is transmitted in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, as well as on the Sputnik official website and in its mobile apps. Combined Sputnik Arabic outlets have a total audience of three million people.“Back in 1938, when the BBC first launched its radio in Lebanon, it chose the ‘This is London’ slogan as its opening line. Now the news bulletin starts with ‘This is Moscow’,” said Chairman of Sputnik Radio in Lebanon Dmitri Tarassov.“Our main focus will be placed on information and analytical content. We will address the hottest international topics and matters affecting Lebanese society since local audiences resonate with social issues the most,” noted Lina Andreichenko, Sputnik Arabic’s managing editor for radio and podcast content.

Russia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov welcomed the launch of Sputnik’s radio station on Tuesday, saying he hopes this event “would constitute a new page in relations with the Middle East region, and that the workers in the Lebanon office of Radio Sputnik would contribute to conveying a transparent and true picture of life in Russia.” […]

Radio host Ellen K has been confirmed as one of the speakers at Radiodays Europe next March.Ellen is not only the first woman to solo anchor a morning radio show in Los Angeles which is consistently top in the ratings, but she is also the host of nationally syndicated top-rated Ellen K Weekend Show and she brings her knowledge and experience to share with us at Radiodays Europe.After 12 years of successfully co-hosting ON AIR With Ryan Seacrest (on KIIS-FM & nationally syndicated) plus 10 years prior with Rick Dees, Ellen was offered her own morning show on iHeartMedia’s KOST 103.5. Ellen holds the distinction of being the first (and only) female to anchor a morning radio show with her solo namesake in Los Angeles radio history and is also the longest continuously airing morning radio personality in the #1 radio market.

In addition to her work in radio Ellen has voiced the Grammys for 10 years (as well the Oscars, Emmys, and several other ABC and CBS TV projects), she launched an annual fundraiser for Children’s Hospital LA on Giving Tuesday, is an Executive Board Member for Loyola High School and serves as the President of the Hollywood Walk of Fame selection committee.Ellen has been named ‘iHeart Radio Personality of the Year’, honoured with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was nominated to the National Radio Hall of Fame.Radiodays Europe 2024 will be held from March 17 to 19, in Munich, the capital of the German state of Bavaria.Register now at Super Early Bird Prices here. […]

Audio Intelligence with Raoul Wedel –
In case you haven’t noticed, the AI revolution is in full swing, and it’s not just about ChatGPT, Image Generation, or AI Voice. It’s about seamlessly integrating these cutting-edge technologies into existing systems. Microsoft has already announced their copilot products for Office and plans to integrate them into Windows. Meanwhile, Meta is rolling out AI features on WhatsApp and Messenger, such as chatbots and image generation.
However, many larger media companies, like iHeart, and other broadcasters in the US are blocking the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools like audio, image and video in their organisations as they struggle to keep up with this rapid pace of advancement.

As someone who has experienced the early days of radio automation in the 80s and 90s, I can’t help but see some parallels. Back then, some stations were hesitant to allow computers connected to the internet, which eventually led to disastrous outcomes when virus-infected memory sticks were connected to their systems.
So, how can media organisations manage the risks associated with integrating AI technologies into mainstream communication and messaging?
 Voice
When not connected to large language models like ChatGPT, voice technology has a relatively low risk. However, cloned voices may be used as deep fakes, or voice talents may not have given explicit permission for their use. To avoid legal issues, make sure your voice provider can furnish all the required documentation and consent in spoken word. Some providers, like Resemble.ai, have developed technologies to detect AI-generated voices, but these may be less effective when audio processing is used or played over speakers or phones.
Voice models are typically created using a vast corpus of scientific audio data and audiobooks, posing little risk. Nevertheless, some providers may use user recordings for training data or create unauthorised voice clones, leading to potential legal ramifications.

Audio
Numerous tools have emerged for audio processing that can remove background noise, echo, and separate music from voice. However, separating music from voice can pose a legal threat, such as when a DJ extracts the music from a copyrighted song and uses it in a promo. Being aware of potential copyright violations is crucial for media companies.
Music Generation
AI music generation is a hotly debated topic. Groundbreaking music generation models like Stable Audio have been trained using data they have received consent for, such as from production music site Audiosparx. However, open-source models can be exploited by individuals who train models on copyrighted content and flood platforms like Spotify with AI-generated releases.
Additionally, there’s a random chance that a model may accidentally generate a song similar to a copyrighted track. The risk of using AI-generated music that infringes on copyrights is significant for broadcasters.
On the other hand, haven’t all musicians been ‘trained’ or influenced by other artists? Why should a computer be any different?
Large language models
Large language models like ChatGPT and Bard have become increasingly popular for generating creative content, but they also come with certain challenges. One such challenge is the phenomenon of “hallucination,” where the AI generates content that might be imaginative but isn’t necessarily grounded in facts or reality. While this can lead to interesting and innovative ideas, it can also result in misinformation or content that strays too far from the desired topic.
To strike the right balance, media companies can employ techniques such as fine-tuning these models with domain-specific data and setting strict guidelines on content generation. Additionally, human supervision and collaboration remain essential to ensure the output aligns with the intended message and adheres to journalistic standards. By combining the creative capabilities of large language models with human expertise, media companies can leverage the power of AI while maintaining accuracy and credibility in their content.
The bottom line is that the AI revolution is reshaping the media industry, bringing innovation and enhanced experiences for audiences worldwide. Media companies need to adapt and evolve, harnessing the power of AI to create more engaging, immersive, and accessible content while being mindful of the legal and ethical implications. By navigating this new frontier with caution and foresight, the potential for transformation and growth in the media industry is immense.
About the Author
With a career in the radio industry spanning more than 30 years, Raoul Wedel is CEO of Wedel Software, a leading international provider of broadcast software solutions. In 2021 he launched the Adthos Ad Platform, bringing broadcast-quality AI and synthetic voice technology to the audio advertising industry for the first time. The platform continues to deliver more market firsts, including the option of creating 100% AI-generated audio ads.
Adthos is an international advertiser on the radioinfo group of sites.
Main Pic: Shutterstock

Tags: Adthos | artificial intelligence | Audio Intelligence | Raoul Wedel
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Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations on “Issues related to Low Power Small Range FM Radio Broadcasting’.This followed a request issued last year by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on the need and timing for introduction of new services such as in drive-in theatres and other use cases of low power small range FM radio broadcasting like hospital radio services, amusement parks, business premises, closed communities such as residential complexes, small habitations, commentary for local events such as air shows and sports events.Low power refers to 1 watt and 500 metres coverage. The recommendations refer mainly to the use of FM for such narrow-coverage services, though “License/Registration/Authorization holders for low power small range FM broadcasting should be allowed to deploy any type of transmission technologies (analogue/digital/ any other)”.

The main features of the recommendations are:
Introduction of a new category of service provider called ‘Low Power Small Range FM Radio Broadcasting’ for provision of low power small range FM Radio.
License/registration/authorization to be granted through a simple registration process via an online application portal.
Approval by Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) for transmitting equipment for low power small range FM broadcasting.
Eligible entities to hold license registration authorization for ‘Low Power Small Range FM Broadcasting’ are individuals, companies registered under the Companies Act 2013 including LLP and partnership firms. But not political parties, companies with political or religious affiliation or control should be allowed to sue this form of low-power broadcasting.
The permission to operate is between 30 days and five years without any entry levy but requiring some authorization fees depending on the length of the authorisation period (between 1,000 and 10,000 rupees per year). This should be granted online by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the Ministry of Communication through online portal within two days of submitting the application. […]

The Taliban forced Nasim Radio, a local radio station in Daikundi province in central Afghanistan, to shut down on Wednesday, September 27. They also arrested its director and two reporters.According to Afghanistan Journalists’ Centre (AFJC), the employees were subsequently released after five hours, but the station remains closed.AFJC said that General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) forces raided the station’s office at approximately 12:00 PM and confiscated the employees’ work tools, including mobile phones and voice recorders, and sealed the gate of the radio station.

The GDI subsequently detained the head of the radio station, Sultan Ali Javadi, along with reporters Saifullah Rezaei and Mojtaba Qasemi.As of now, local Taliban officials have not commented on the reason for the closure of Nasim Radio and the arrest of its employees. However, AFJC cited a credible source indicating that it may be due to the rebroadcasting of programs from a foreign radio network.AFJC strongly condemns the attack on the radio station as an attempt to suppress and restrict the activities of free media. AFJC requests that the Taliban issue permission to reopen Nasim Radio and refrain from obstructing the free activity of media outlets and their employees.The Afghan Supporting Independent Media (NAI), also issued a statement saying that systematic restrictions on access to information have made the future of journalism in Afghanistan uncertain. It also expressed concerns about challenges such as limited access to information, lack of job security, and physical violence against journalists and media personnel.According to Afghanistan’s media law, media should be free to carry out their professional work without restrictions or threats. Officials should be supportive of the media and journalists.

Earlier this year, the Taliban Ministry of Information and Culture affirmed that no other entity has the right to interfere in media affairs or the work of journalists.Photo: AFJC […]

Selling Radio Direct with Pat BrysonFourth quarter, in the U.S., usually means it’s time to renew clients for the new year. In today’s uncertain economic environment, doing so may seem a bit scary as we determine IF they will renew, might they want to cut back expenditures, or if they might choose NOT to renew!Renewals often require increasing rates. As salespeople, we often don’t want to “rock the boat” by asking for higher prices. Have you ever tried to sneak a renewal past your manager using last year’s rates? Or perhaps you held the dollar amount your client had been spending the same, which means you decreased the number of messages they were using. Did this put them beneath the number of ads required for an OES schedule? If so, we are doing our clients a disservice.

Renewal time should be a time to find ways to better serve our clients. Business is evolving rapidly tossed about by external factors beyond our control. These shifting sands require businesses to constantly change how they do business. The marketing plan they used last year, last quarter or even last week may need to be changed. It’s almost a certainty that their message will need to be changed.Before we ask for a renewal, we need to sit with our clients and do a needs analysis. We need to benchmark where that business has been in the last two years and where it needs to go in 2024. What has changed? What do they anticipate for 2024? Are they in a positive frame of mind or a negative frame of mind? What is their PERCEPTION of the next 12 months?Here are some questions we need to ask:How has your revenue changed in 2023? Up, down flat?What are the major challenges you are facing now?

How have these changed this year?What concerns you most about 2024?If the answer is “supply chain”, ask what products they can get, what they can’t get. When do they anticipate the supply chain to improve?How have they altered their business model because of the supply chain?If they mention not being able to staff fully, ask how this has affected their business specifically. Shorter hours? More days closed? Longer work days for the owner? Is revenue exceeding pre-COVID numbers?If revenue is soft, ask if they are seeing smaller average sales or less traffic. Have your profit centers shifted? If so, how?What will it be important for your customers to know about you in the next few months?How important to you is being involved with community events?Where do you want your business to be by the end of 2024?What needs to happen to get it there?You probe for changes in the business. You ascertain goals and objectives for 2024. You understand your client’s perceptions of his world. These new challenges can trigger changes in how they have been advertising. If clients have not been using effective schedules, you may now find ways to introduce them to doing so.When clients believe our campaigns can help them to solve problems, they will give us money. If they PERCEIVE that their opportunity for reward exceeds their PERCEPTION of risk, they will embrace our campaigns. Renewals start with understanding where our client’s business is NOW and where they want it to be by the end of 2024.Take the time to understand. It’s not about US: It’s about THEM. Easier renewals await!Happy Selling! […]