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Report into the future of GBC published
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The Government has today published the report into the future of GBC prepared by Allan King dated November 2008.
The publication of the Report was a manifesto commitment of the GSLP/Liberals for the recent general election campaign. The parties committed to publishing Allan King’s report within 30 days of the date of the election.
Before publishing the report, the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, who has retained responsibility for broadcasting and media, discussed with Mr King the possibility of the report being redacted to prevent unnecessary embarrassment to anyone in GBC who might be identifiable in the report. One minor redaction has been agreed.
Government notes Mr King’s advice that in the three years since the report was written there have been some material changes namely:
• Technological advances meant the figure of 35% of existing equipment
being suitable for the new GBC is no longer valid. It will likely be lower now.
• Substantial changes were made to the website following Mr King’s 2008
visit and Radio and TV are now online.
• GBC now uses social media extensively.
• The bad debt position referred to in the report has been corrected.
• Radio Gibraltar streaming low level audio gain has been rectified.
• DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) was an exciting prospect in 2008,
but has not taken off internationally as hoped and is no longer viable in Mr King’s view.
Mr Picardo is seeking an early meeting with Mr King and the Union representatives at GBC to discuss the contents of the report and to agree the best way forward for GBC in light of the publication of the King Report.
The most urgent issue is the need to move to Digital Transmissions before the end of 2012 something the previews GSD Administration neglected entirely.
Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo said: “Like most of our people, I am a big fan of GBC’s local output. I want to work with all the staff at GBC at all levels to deliver the national broadcaster we want and deserve as a modern, vibrant community in the 21st Century. I will be seeking early meetings with all the relevant interested parties to start to move broadcasting in Gibraltar forward. The previous administration promised a lot in this area and delivered nothing. With the great professionals there are at GBC we will deliver a national broadcaster to be proud of.”
22.12.2011
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