BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Barbados-based Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Tuesday launched its 56th Annual General Assembly saying it provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on ensuring the region’s indigenous media survive and thrive as an economic sector.
CBU president Anthony Greene, addressing the launch of the 56th CBU Annual General Assembly (CMC Photo)The CBU General Assembly will be held August 18-20 under the theme “Caribbean Media & the Orange Economy”, with the CBU president Anthony Greene, saying the organization chose this theme because of CBU’s continued interest in promoting what we describe as, “the business of media”.
“A lot of attention is given to the skill and creativity of media professionals. But this assembly is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on ensuring our indigenous media survive and thrive as an economic sector. And also showcase the role of the media and creative professionals and businesses in making a major contribution to Caribbean economies,” Greene said.
He said that the three-day event, coming ahead of Barbados hosting the 15th edition of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) from August 22-31, will be chock full of activities for media execs and senior managers, practitioners in the arts and culture sector, media equipment & service providers, communications academics, policy-makers and regulators as well regional and international agencies.
He said that the CBU is particularly pleased to welcome back international satellite service provider Eutelsat once again to the Assembly and that “if you’re a media service provider or equipment vendor, and you want to have one-on-one discussions with senior management of media houses from the Dutch, English and Spanish Caribbean, the Partner’s Showcase on the evening of August 18 is for you.
The plenary session of the Assembly will begin on August 19, with Greene saying “it’s the core event where members are brought up to date on the Union’s affairs, discuss critical policy matters, and conduct elections.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley will deliver the feature address at the ceremonial opening of the Assembly that will also be addressed by the new Regional Representative of UNESCO, Eric Falt.
Greene said that the pomp and pageantry of the evening will include the induction into the CBU Hall of Fame of two new awardees and that the final day of the Assembly includes a day of conference sessions where delegates will “delve into the theme of “Caribbean Media & the Orange Economy”.
He said the keynote address will be delivered by the Minister of Home Affairs & Information, Wilfred Abrams.
The Chair of the Barbados Broadcast Authority, Dr. Allyson Leacock, the Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Dr. Kevin Greenidge, the chief executive officer of the Trinidad-based Media InSite, Allison Demas will also make presentations that will be moderated by
Professor Mike Alleyne, Professor Emeritus, Department of Recording Industry, Middle Tennessee State University and the Director of the Caribbean School of Media & Communication, of the University of the West Indies Dr. Patrick Prendergast.
Greene said that the 36th CBU Media Awards will be held on the evening of August 20 .
“If you have an interest in arts and culture, the creative Industries, traditional and new media, communication technology or just want to be a part of celebrating excellence in Caribbean media, the 56th Assembly and the 36th CBU Media Awards are for you,” he added.
