Newsroom

• John Harding to be NABA's New Executive Director
  
• Telesat Appointed to Serve as Test Contractor for MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) Contribution 1080i/720p Codec Interoperability Program
  
• The SUIRG Releases Findings of Field Test Report on C-band Sharing
  
• Global Forum Calls for UN Special Rapporteur on Protection of Journalists
  

John Harding to be NABA's New Executive Director

August 18, 2008 / TORONTO, Canada - The North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) is pleased to announce the appointment of John A. Harding as Executive Director effective August 26th, 2008. NABA’s Board of Directors is confident that Mr. Harding’s unique set of skills, depth of knowledge and organizational leadership will serve the Association well at this time of great change in the industry.

In the new appointment, David Baylor, NABA’s Secretary General, to whom Mr. Harding will report, said: “John brings extensive experience in serving the needs of broadcasters. He’s a creative leader who will assist NABA in addressing the changing broadcast environment.”

Recently, Mr. Harding served as the President of the Strategic Marketing Group. Prior to that he was President with the Radio Marketing Bureau where he was recognized for driving revenue and membership growth during a period of tremendous industry consolidation. Mr. Harding has over 20 years experience in highly visible leadership roles with a consistent record of dramatically exceeding goals. Mr. Harding takes over the role from Carol Darling who served as NABA’s Executive Director since 2004.

Mr. Harding lives in Toronto with his family and attended Ryerson University for Business & Commerce. Mr. Harding is also a former Committee Member of the Bureau of Broadcast Measurements and a former Director for both the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and the Canadian Association of Broadcast Representatives.

ABOUT NABA

NABA is a non-profit union of the most influential broadcasting organizations throughout North America committed to advancing the interests of broadcasters at home and internationally. Network broadcasters, both public and private, in the United States, Mexico and Canada, work together to provide a common voice for the North American broadcast community. As a member of the World Broadcasting Unions (WBU), NABA creates the opportunity for North American broadcasters to share information, identify common interests and reach consensus on issues of an international nature. NABA provides representation for North American broadcasters in global forums on topics including journalism issues, protection of content, spectrum related concerns, the territorial integrity of broadcasters’ signals, and digital transmission issues.

For further information contact:
Jason Paris, NABA
+1 (416) 598-9877, jparis@nabanet.com
www.nabanet.com

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Telesat Appointed to Serve as Test Contractor for MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) Contribution 1080i/720p Codec Interoperability Program

Toronto, Ontario, Canada (July 9, 2008) - The World Broadcasting Unions’ International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Telesat as the Test Contractor for the MPEG-4 AVC (H. 264) Contribution 1080i/720p Codec Interoperability Program. WBU-ISOG believes that codec vendors, video carriers and broadcasters will all benefit if these new codecs are interoperable. If they are not, the adoption of this new technology and its promising efficiency and improved quality will be unnecessarily curtailed.

The interoperability tests will be conducted for high definition formats using bit rates from high quality contribution to SNG content. Test parameters will include video and audio formats, lip sync and high to SNG levels of latency.

International codec manufacturers have been invited to participate. Tom Gibbon, acting for NHK Japan Broadcasting Corporation, will be the Project Chair for this round of testing. Further details will be available as the test program progresses over the next few months. Telesat has agreed to be the test contractor once again following the three successful rounds of tests conducted for MPEG-2 interoperability between 2005 and 2007 at their labs in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

About WBU-ISOG
Founded in 1985, the International Satellite Operations Group is a committee of the World Broadcasting Unions. ISOG provides a global forum for members of the WBU to exchange information, outline requirements and resolve common operational problems.

WBU-ISOG's mission is to identify, evaluate, and implement solutions for all operational matters associated with transmission (by satellite or any other means) of video, audio, and broadcast-related data material from sites of news, sports, special events and entertainment, and to work with all international groups, institutions, organizations, and appropriate bodies to achieve these solutions.

About Telesat
Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices and facilities around the world, Telesat is the fourth largest fixed satellite services operator. The company provides reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers. Telesat is privately held. Its principal shareholders are Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Loral Space & Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: LORL).

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The SUIRG Releases Findings of Field Test Report on C-band Sharing - Satellite and WiMax Spectrum Sharing Not Compatible Report Finds

Punta Gorda, FL, March 3, 2008 - The Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group (SUIRG) announced today the formal findings of a field test on the compatibility of Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) and WiMAX services sharing the C-band spectrum. The test, conducted in the latter quarter of 2007, conclusively demonstrated that WiMax communications pose a significant interference threat to satellite signals transmitted in the C-band frequency.

SUIRG, a non-profit association comprised of both private and public sector satellite organizations, is dedicated to combating the increasing and costly problem of satellite radiofrequency interference (RFI). The field test was performed with support from several key industry organizations. Its purpose was to validate previous tests and to provide conclusive results on the incompatibility of C-band spectrum sharing between fixed frequency service (FSS) satellite transmissions and WiMAX services.

The primary objective of the plan was to measure interference levels generated by fixed WiMAX transmissions into an FSS satellite receiving station. The method employed taking measurements of C/N (carrier/noise), I/N (interference/noise), BER (bit error rate), and spectrum plots of a satellite down link video channel. Testing was performed in 2 phases:

• Phase 1: The FSS antenna remained in a fixed location while a WiMAX base unit was moved to several locations operating at various angles and distances from the FSS antenna to simulate subscriber waveforms. This test modeled WiMAX subscribers in a nomadic deployment affecting FSS. Tests conducted within the immediate area (up to 1 km away) showed that the digital signal was rendered unacceptable for use.



• Phase 2: The WiMAX base antenna was fixed at a height of approximately 50 meters on top of a water tower. The FSS antenna was positioned at several different locations and at various angles and significantly greater distances from the WiMAX antenna (up to 12 km) than during Phase 1 testing. This was to model WiMAX base units being deployed on cellular towers.

The results of the testing showed that the WiMAX transmit signal could cause significant problems to a satellite digital signal well in excess of 12 km distance. At the extreme measurement distance, the video program was fully operational with the WiMAX carrier centered on the video carrier. However, the data BER was degraded from a nominal 10-8 to a BER of 10-4. This is an unacceptable quality of service in the digital telecommunications industry.

Subsequent calculations based on the initial measured data, and scaling with ITU criteria for WiMAX output power along with additional path loss, resulted in a required separation distance of 278 km to reduce the level of interference to meet the -10 dB specification. Combining the two analyses, from a flat non-blocking terrain to a wooded hilly terrain, results show that the criteria whereby FSS antennas cannot co-exist with WiMAX systems ranges from 50 to over 200 km dependent upon the local terrain and the WiMAX output levels.

“The C-band is in many ways the lifeline of the satellite industry and protecting that spectrum from the threat of interference posed by sharing it with Broadband Wireless Access services is of paramount importance,” said Robert Ames, SUIRG President. “The tremendous support of the SUIRG member companies and the industry as a whole in making this test a viable platform to aid decision makers at WRC-07 was extremely gratifying. The results of the test are a firm testament to the need for clearly defined spectrum allocation.”

The full text of the WiMax frequency sharing with FSS earth stations Field Test Report and detailed Test Plan & Procedures are available on the SUIRG website at www.suirg.org.

ABOUT SUIRG
SUIRG is an international assembly of parties with representation from both the private and public sector organized to combat the increasing and costly problem of satellite RF interference. Members disseminate information and actively pursue programs to reduce radio frequency interference incidents.

Formed over ten years ago as an informal group working to reduce radio interference, SUIRG incorporated as a 501(c) (6) trade association in September 2003. The Group’s membership is comprised of satellite operators, users, uplinkers, service providers, equipment vendors, and other organizations with a stake in combating radio frequency interference. SUIRG also collects interference incident data from satellite operators on its web site to clearly define the specific areas that need focus to reduce the number of incidents.

SUIRG’s objective is to stop interference before it starts, pursuing a number of remedies, among them: signal Identification, which involves working with uplink equipment vendors to modify their equipment to provide a unique ID for cross-reference in a database when interference occurs; uplink training, procedures and certification; improved detection and identification tools, and continuous sharing of information and solutions among the SUIRG membership.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Longbottom Communications:
Phone +1 (301) 926-3523 or email orly@longbottomcommunications.com.
Or visit: www.suirg.org

Click here to download the press release.

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Global Forum Calls for UN Special Rapporteur on Protection of Journalists

December 14, 2007 - A global media forum has called on the United Nations Secretary-General to appoint a Special Rapporteur on the Protection of Journalists in peace and war.

The third World Electronic Media Forum (WEMF3), meeting in Kuala Lumpur, made the call after hearing that 2007 was already the bloodiest year on record for journalists’ deaths, with at least 172 news media staff killed so far as a result of their work.

The forum, which brought together broadcasters, journalists, policy makers, academics and others, noted the importance of freedom of expression to human rights.

It urged states to implement in letter and spirit UN Resolution 1738, adopted by the Security Council in December 2006. The resolution calls on states to end impunity for those who kill journalists and other news professionals, to investigate incidents of violence against news media, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The forum also called for greater efforts to preserve the world’s endangered audiovisual archives.

It urged broadcasters throughout the world to cooperate with the Archives at Risk group, which brings together several leading organisations, and called on industry partners and institutions to sponsor and support archive reservation projects, via the Archives at Risk initiative.

The group on Archives at Risk was created in February 2006 after the second meeting of the World Electronic Forum (WEMF2) in Tunis in November 2005. Its members include the United Nations, UNESCO, the World Broadcasting Unions, the European Broadcasting Union and the International Federation of Television Archives, FIAT/IFTA.

WEMF3 also said broadcasters must maintain their core values and principles in the face of rapid technological change. It was possible to hold on to core values of good journalism such as accuracy, objectivity and ethical reporting in spite of embracing new media technology, the forum said.

Broadcasters should strive to embrace and harness the new media and new technological platforms to benefit fully from all the new opportunities they provided through increasing flexibility of media consumption, interactivity, participatory communication and access.

In this changing media landscape driven by market forces, it was critical to support and strengthen public service broadcasting and community media which played a crucial role in informing, educating and empowering citizens, the forum said.

Calling for action to bridge the accessibility divide, the forum urged Information & Communications Technology (ICT) regulators around the world to consider having wireless Internet access free, initially in main cities, as a public service.

It called on broadcasters to use innovations in technology to serve the consumers of their services with special needs, such as the sight and hearing impaired and the elderly.

The two-day forum took place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and attracted more than 200 participants.

Among the speakers were leading representatives of Aljazeera English, the BBC, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, the Korean Broadcasting System, Radio Netherlands, Young Asia Television and regional broadcasting unions from Africa, the Arab world, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, North America and South America.

WEMF3 was an event of the World Broadcasting Unions and was organised by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) and the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC). It was supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) as cooperation partners.

The first and second World Electronic Media Forums were held in conjunction with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) which was held in two phases in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005).

For more information, please contact Alan Williams at alan@abu.org.my or tel +603-2282-7033.

About the WBU
The World Broadcasting Unions (WBU) is the coordinating body for broadcasting unions who represent broadcaster networks across the globe. Members include: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), African Union of Broadcasters (AUB), Asociación Internacional de Radiodifusión (AIR), Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), European Broadcasting Union (EBU), North American Broadcasters Association (NABA), and Organizacion de la Television Iberoamericana (OTI). For more information, please see http://www.nabanet.com/wbuarea/.

About the ABU
The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) is a non-profit, non-government, professional association of broadcasting organisations, formed in 1964 to facilitate the development of broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region and to organise co-operative activities amongst its members. It currently has over 170 members in 53 countries, with its broadcaster members reaching a potential audience of about 3 billion people. For more information, please visit www.abu.org.my.

About the AIBD
The Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) is a unique regional inter-governmental organisation servicing countries of the Asia and Pacific region in the field of electronic media development since 1977. It is hosted by the Government of Malaysia. The AIBD is mandated to achieve a vibrant and cohesive electronic media environment in the Asia-Pacific region through policy and resource development. The institute has 26 full members and 53 affiliate members. More information is available at www.aibd.org.my.

About AMIC
The Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) is Asia’s premier media research, publication and resource centre. For over thirty six years, AMIC has spearheaded the development of Asian media through its wide range of publications, training workshops and events. More information is available at www.amic.org.sg.

About the SDC
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). In operating with other federal offices concerned, SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of development activities and cooperation with Eastern Europe, as well as for humanitarian aid. SDC employs a staff of around 550 people to carry out its activities in Switzerland and abroad, with an annual budget of CHF 1.3 billion (2006). The Agency undertakes direct actions, supports programmes of multilateral organisations, and helps to finance programmes run by Swiss and international aid organisations in the following areas:

• Bilateral and multilateral development cooperation


• Humanitarian aid


• Cooperation with Eastern Europe

Bilateral development cooperation concentrates on 17 priority countries and eight special programmes in Africa, Asia and Latin America. At multilateral level, SDC collaborates in particular with UN organisations, the World Bank, and the regional development banks. For more information, please visit www.sdc.admin.ch.

About the GKP
Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) is an international network of over 100 organisations from all sectors – public, private and civil society – bound by the two common principles of sharing knowledge and building partnerships. Members and partners work in concert through the GKP network to promote innovation and advancement in Knowledge for Development (K4D) and Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) in seven operating regions: Africa, Central & Eastern Europe, East Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean, Middle East & North Africa, Oceania and South Asia. For more information, please visit www.globalknowledge.org.

Click here to download the press release.

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