Caribbean broadcasters conclude Belize assembly
After three days of deliberations, the thirty fifth annual general assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union wrapped up on Friday afternoon at the Inn at Robert?s Grove in Placencia. President of the C.B.U., Vic Fernandes, says the regional organisation will continue to build on the successes of the past twelve months in order to take the regional broadcasting body to the next level. The A.G.A. resulted in a set of fifteen resolutions, which Fernandes says will now form the basis of the C.B.U.?s work programme for the next year.
Vic Fernandes, President, C.B.U.
?On issues relating to cricket for example we have agreed that the Caribbean Media Corporation which is a subsidiary of C.B.U and Cana would be the negotiating arm of the members in negotiations with external rights holders, for a number of the major events that we have in the region. We have agreed that that the Caribbean Media Corporation, its strategic vision for the future should be endorsed, that the Lome Four project be fully energized, and that project is now in full flight. We will see the establishment of eight fly away earth stations in a number of CARIFORUM countries, we will continue our projects in relations to training and development, advocacy and representation of our members? interest. These are some of the core values and core strategies that we are going to be pursuing during the course of 2004/2005.?
The Lome Four project, which has been in the works since 1994, is being funded through a five million Euro grant from the European Union. Belize is one of the eight countries slated to receive an uplink, with delivery scheduled for the first quarter of 2005. That equipment will not only allow Belize to transmit live television throughout the region and world, but can also be used domestically to bring events taking place anywhere in the country to all Belizeans via satellite, using the nation?s extensive network of free-to-air and cable television systems. Access to the uplinks is guaranteed to all broadcasters, whether or not they are C.B.U. members.
