OSCE Mission to Skopje holds conference on future of broadcasting

SKOPJE, 13 November 2008 - Moving from analogue to digital broadcasting, the new technological platforms for distribution of audio-visual content and the business challenges in the digital environment are the focus of a conference in Skopje today.

Organized by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, the conference, "Media Digitalization and New Platforms for Audio-Visual Content", brought together some 70 representatives from the broadcasting and marketing sector and telecom operators. They will discuss the best and sustainable business models for national and regional broadcasters.

"The development of the media industry is closely tied with freedom of expression and freedom of information, two principles that all 56 OSCE participating States have committed to upholding. Pluralism and professionalism in media are closely tied with democracy and a healthy political culture in any country," said Ambassador Natalya Drozd, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission,.

"In this country in particular there is the added factor of the role of media in cultivating cultural identity and multi-culturalism that is a key issue tied in with national confidence-building and stability."

The conference was organized in co-operation with the Broadcast Council, the Agency for Electronic Communications and the Media Development Centre.