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Saturday, August 19, 2006

African broadcasting union to be revamped and renamed

The Union of National Radio & Television Organisations of Africa (URTNA) will undergo a total revamp of its structure and operations, following approval by the union’s Administrative Council meeting in Dakar, Senegal, last week.
The Administrative Council also proposed that URTNA change its name to the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB). However, this matter will be debated during the union’s General Assembly in November.
URTNA will also finalise the location of its headquarters during the General Assembly. Its operation centres such as Afro-Vision, which suspended operations from 1 April, will be transferred to the new location.
The revamp will also see the General Assembly meeting annually, instead of once every two years. The post of Secretary-General will also be replaced with Chief Executive Officer.
Other changes include forming an Executive Council of nine members to replace the Administrative Council. Those making up the new executive board are the President, three Vice-Presidents, the CEO and others from geographical zones not already represented by the top five posts.
Four directors will be appointed to assist the CEO. They will be in charge of Training and Technology; Programmes; Marketing, Sales and Communication; and Finance and Administration.
“Membership of the union will be made up of African public and private broadcasting organisations, broadcasting organisations of Africans in the diaspora as well as broadcasting organisations outside the continent,” said Kevin Ejiofor, the Administrative Council Chairman.

(Source: ABU/Md. Azizul Alam Al-Amin, Bangladesh)