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NRK

Thor Gjermund Eriksen

I joined NRK in November 2012. Its difficult to sum up how significant and deep the changes in the media industry have been, and how different NRK is today. We used to have 30-40 digital staff. Today, our digital unit is ten times the size. There are 20% fewer people with permanent contracts and NRK works more and more with people outside the company. Everything has been about speeding up while at the same time increasing quality in all processes.

In 2021, NRK had the best reach ever. We had never reached so many Norwegians before, so many times every day. We also began to turn the corner with younger audiences, whose trust and use of NRK are growing, although NRK continues to closely track this demographic and how they engage with public service media.

NRKs position in Norway is strong. Weve been able to fight back in terms of reach and now operate the countrys leading streaming service which is bigger than Netflix and HBO. The way the audience consumes NRK content is totally different to seven years ago and Im sure the focus will be on keeping this position and being mindful that for anyone younger than 55, audio and video streaming services are stronger than linear.

I am often asked to explain how trust in NRK increased during the pandemic. I dont believe you suddenly build trust in the middle of a pandemic or a war. Trust is about the quality of your work during all the years when there is no pandemic or no war. NRK needs to be important in everyday life at all times. Building audience trust is a long-term process and not about reaction in a crisis.

When it comes to internal challenges, I believe leaders need to prepare their organizations for unpredictability. We all need to be better prepared for shock. Whereas we dont know when a crisis will come or how it will hit, we know it wont be when or how we expect it. What is more likely to strike next are new competitors or new technologies that offer audiences new ways to consume content. And this is one of my main messages to PSM organizations: we must embrace unpredictability and shock. Do not misunderstand me, I dont love conflict or pandemics, but I do admire an organization that is prepared for meeting unpredictable challenges.

In our industry, the main external challenge is to strengthen our platforms and brands, fight back for editorial control and against tech giants who act as intermediaries between broadcasters and their audiences. This is about trust, editorial control and being less dependent on Facebook, Google and Apple. Whereas this challenge used to be mainly about video, I see it spreading to audio, including radio content and podcasts. And the challenge isnt easier because Spotify is a European company.

You cant avoid the Tech Giants, so you have to find ways to connect with them. Fortunately, in Norway, the new Minister of Culture has been very engaged on this issue. NRK works in close partnership with the Norwegian government and other media companies to shape a common position towards Tech Giants and strike a balance between their innovative positions and the independence of the media sector. This is a difficult exercise, especially as the representatives of Tech Giants in Norway dont have much influence on their organizations.

NRK took a strategic pivot with regards to these players: we communicated very clearly within our organization and to the public that we will withdraw our content from global platforms. Our objective is to strengthen our platforms with more and more exclusive content and to use global players only to target specific age groups.

These companies are clever and extremely powerful. If you compare the economic size of Google, Facebook or Apple to a State, they would rank among the 20 biggest nations in world. They are not evil however their power must be contained. This is where the role of the EBU is pivotal. Together, we can combine our strategic efforts at national and international levels to fight for a common position regarding regulation of global players.

Before I joined NRK, I was CEO of one of the biggest private media in Norway, and before that, almost 20 years ago, I was editor-in-chief of one of Norways biggest newspapers. On a day-to-day basis, NRK has a constructive cooperation with the private sector. We are open-minded organizations who meet regularly and listen to one anothers challenges. The way we collaborate on topics like Tech Giants is a good example: the Minister of Culture invites all media companies to attend a meeting prepared and aligned. If all stakeholders had come to the table with their own different views and three or four bullet points, then politicians would have ended up with 40-50 priorities - in other words no priorities. We needed to set up a process to achieve common views and decide together our top three priorities for Norways media industry. This process has been effective for politicians and good for the media.

However, when it comes to debate on the concept of public service, private media are capable of weighing in, especially when politicians challenge a remit or funding. I believe PSM are on strong ground because evidence shows their positive contribution to the media market as a whole, to democracy and to all audiences. PSM should not downgrade their ambitions because of some political opinions. We must stand up for our values. Unlike many European countries, this tension is not very strong in Norway because private newspapers, local media, commercial TVs have managed to transform their business models, develop digital products and see their results increase. Private media in Norway are smart and that is fundamentally positive for the media industry, including public service media.

I love the concept of public service media and our remit. PSM contribute to the cultural diversity and social cohesion of a country and are the cornerstones of every democracy.

I was the eighth Director General of NRK since the Second World War. After World War II, in many countries, public service was part of the effort to build the nation, telling people how they should live, what is right and wrong, forcing an homogenic way of life, shaping society to the line of the majority of politicians. At NRK, we are not proud of how we treated minorities during this time. They were oppressed and their language and culture werent respected.

Today, our role is the opposite: we encourage acceptance and respect of differences as a glue in society. It is really a big change in PSM responsibilities: our role is to fight for the right to choose your own life. Im not a religious person, but I really fought at NRK for all people to be able make their faith visible. Today we live in a multicultural society and we need to better mirror this. Of course, some people, some parties, some politicians have criticized NRK for taking this position. But we have stood up for our ambition to build acceptance for diversity and will show diversity as it is. I like saying that NRKs ambition is to be a common arena where everybody in Norway can watch someone who, in some way or another is like themselves, and listen to opinions they can recognize, but also listen to opinions that will challenge them.

To fulfil that ambition, NRK needs broad coverage and to be able to reach all Norwegians every day. But even in Norway, which is fortunateto be one of the wealthiest countries in the world, there are concerns with some groups, including people outside cities, people with lower education. So even here in Norway, NRK must remain realistic about its ambition.

In October 2013, Norway had a new conservative government which started a tough debate around NRKs funding and limiting its remit. The government remained for eight years and with time became more and more supportive of public service.

I must admit I was hesitant about any change to the license fee model that we wanted to keep because we believed it was the best way to secure NRKs independence. Despite having to collaborate with six Ministers of Culture in eight years, we gradually changed our view for a number of reasons. It was more and more unpopular to issue 2.2 million bills twice a year. And it was more and more difficult to justify the legal framework: were Norwegians paying for the linear and online content? We constantly had to explain, and this was damaging our image and reputation. We came to realise that if politicians want to undermine public service there are thousands of ways to do this, and no funding model can protect you. So, our strategy developed into how to convince our audience: if NRK makes its audience happy, thenthe politicians are happy. Therefore, as long as you can keep this position, and adapt your content to maintain audience engagement, your strategy is sustainable.

As long as politicians take decisions on a medium- to long-term period of three or five years, funding through the State budget is a more secure model than the license fee. NRKs funding for the past years has actually been predictable and reliable. If it were still operating under the license fee today, it would likely have suffered a decrease of EUR 20-30 million because politicians wouldnt have funded an increase of the fee in the middle of a pandemic. However, under the new model, funding is planned for four years and has been 100% respected.

I also appreciated the openness of the process. For example, our four-year funding plan initially started in the same year as general elections. I proposed to the Minister of Culture that the discussion on funding and remit should be in the year after the elections. It was not in the interest of anyone, neither the government, nor NRK, nor the public, to have this important discussion when the focus needs to be on covering the elections. NRK is the biggest and most democratic arena during election campaigns, and this is what matters in election year. The Minister agreed immediately.

Looking back on a decade at NRK, I see that the importance of impartial, independent, broad and trustworthy public service media has grown day by day, especially over the past two years with the pandemic and now with the tragic war in Europe. Therefore, I am quite optimistic for NRK now that the majority of politicians understand and better see our value. As long as NRK keeps audience trust, Im optimistic for the future.

And I want to be optimistic for PSM too: it must constantly adapt, increase quality in all its processes and not wait for politicians to shape the agenda. However, Im not nave; whereas NRK is in a good position in Norway there are negative indicators elsewhere in Europe, even until very recently in neighbouring countries, such as Denmark. Although the picture is mixed in Europe, I refuse to be pessimistic. We cannot allow ourselves to be pessimistic until were certain weve done all we can ourselves and together with the EBU.

The rest is here:
Interview with Thor Gjermund Eriksen on 10 years at the helm of NRK - European Broadcasting Union

Thank you Mr Chair, I wish to thank the Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFOM), dear Teresa Ribeiro, for your report.

The report had a necessary and justified focus on the impact of Russias illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. It was another stark reminder of what has been happening over the last 85 days.

It reminded us of the journalists that have been killed in Russias premeditated and unjustified war. Like the RFOM, we offer our heartfelt condolences to their family and friends.

We are also reminded of the reports of the disappearance, detention and abduction of Ukrainian journalists or their relatives by the Russian military. We recall, with horror, the reported case of the Ukrainian interpreter and fixer for Radio France left in an icy cellar, repeatedly beaten with an iron bar and rifle butts, tortured with electricity, deprived of food for 48 hours and subjected to mock execution.

The three eminent independent experts who authored the recent Moscow Mechanism report referenced that case when noting they had received several credible reports according to which Russian forces arrested civilians, including journalists, without any procedure, and ill-treated them by methods that amount to torture. The experts conclusion? That this constitutes a war crime.

We are also reminded of the case of Vladsylav, a freelance journalist sentenced to six years in prison on politically motivated charges, who is reported to have been mistreated and abused while in prison. Yesterday, the RFoM highlighted the abduction of Oleksii Vorontsov, engineer of public broadcaster UA:Kherson, and, rightly, called for his immediate release.

Mr Chair, the RFOMs report today also highlights that inside the Russian Federation we are seeing the most severe crackdown on free speech and media freedom of the last 25 years. The impact of this crackdown is also felt in the temporarily Russian controlled territories of Ukraine, including illegally annexed Crimea, where Ukrainians are subject to the ever-increasing restrictions on media freedom imposed through Russias legislation. The actions of the Russian Government are at odds with their obligations under international law and their OSCE commitments. They are at odds with a proper functioning democracy. OSCE participating States agreed in Budapest in 1994 that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and a basic component of a democratic society. People must be allowed to discuss and debate issues freely, to challenge their governments, and to make informed political decisions. The media crackdown in Russia, as described by the RFOM in her report, means that such a free and informed debate is simply not happening in Russia.

Mr Chair, I was not surprised that, just before my intervention, Russia that criticised the RFoMs work and her report. Thats because they know, in their heart of hearts, as we do, that facts matter. And that in protecting and supporting freedom of expression and media freedom, the RFOM helps defend and promote facts. This is in stark contrast to the Russian Government and their approach of misinformation and disinformation.

We also note the RFOMs comment that the dreadful freedom of expression and media freedom situation in Belarus again warrants separate mentioning. Like the RFOM we remain worried that journalists are being sentenced, arrested or detained for simply doing their work. And that the practice of continued arrests and convictions of journalists on trumped-up charges is a grave danger to media freedom in the country. The actions of the Lukashenko regime are not compatible with Belarus international obligations and OSCE commitments on freedom of expression and media freedom.

The RFOMs report highlights the importance of freedom of expression and media freedom to the OSCEs concept of comprehensive security. We believe the slogan to commemorate 25 years of the RFOM - no security without media freedom - is particularly apt at this time of crisis in the OSCE region. Promoting media freedom across the whole OSCE region is a priority for the UK. That is why we greatly value the RFOMs important work across the whole region, including in the Western Balkans and Central Asia, and on key topics such as the safety of journalists, on restrictive measures at the national level that limit media freedom, and on the dangers of misinformation and disinformation.

Teresa thank you for your efforts and that of your office. Your work is of the utmost importance as we collectively address the terrible impact of Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine. The United Kingdom continues to offer our full support for the important work undertaken by you, and your excellent staff.

Thank you Mr Chair

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Report by OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media: UK response, May 2022 - GOV.UK

The kind of success and the level of momentum a few individuals have created for themselves in their respective industries cannot just be attributed to the advent of technology. One needs to credit the relentless drive, endless efforts, and determination of these individuals, who give their best and work with 100% commitment to turn their ideas into reality and become the success stories they always aimed to become. We were thrilled when we came to know about one such self-made success story, a big-eyed girl with even bigger dreams that today has made her one of the top choices when it comes to artist management and digital media and marketing; we are talking about Smriti Singh.

Smriti Singh confesses that from a very young age, everything that revolved around digital media and the entertainment world attracted her the most, which is why in college, at 19 years of age, she had started freelancing in these fields, in a way setting up a firm foundation for herself to attain expertise later. Thats what happened, and today, she serves as the CEO of her own digital marketing and PR firm called Ant-Bite Media and Pvt Ltd, which also excels at artist management. Getting the right kind of exposure in her teen years helped her make her foot firm in the industry over the years and led her to become a knowledgeable young personality and entrepreneur in the field.

The much-talked-about entrepreneur, PR expert, artist manager, and CEO of her company is known for her incredible business approaches and the industry-best strategies and techniques that lead her artist clients to earn the work they truly deserve in the industry. She has already worked with thousands of artists so far and has successfully placed them with different and exciting ventures in their careers with production houses, producers, celebrities, and big companies in the entertainment space. Even after coming from no background in the artist management field, thriving on her passion and her quest to create success for each of her clients helped her achieve massive success and recognition in the industry.

Smriti Singh, with her astute entrepreneurial skills, also made some deep connections in Bollywood and helped her artists make collaborations in films, music videos, music collaborations, and so much more, placing them as per their caliber and art.

There is absolutely no stopping for this young Indian talent as she consistently creates success for her clients and herself.

Find out more through her Instagram @smriti.singh9.

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Smriti Singh: One of the brightest minds in the world of artist management and digital media - NEWS HEADS

Funding of $1.2 million has been secured to build Australia's first deep water hyperbaric chamber testing and maintenance facility in Western Australia, capable of facilitating subsea control modules.

The McGowan Government and industry will each provide $600,000 towards the total $1.2 million cost of the new facility, which will be built at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, as part of a more comprehensive regional deep water testing facility.

Due to the growth in Australia's oil and gas industry, an increasing number of subsea control modules require ongoing maintenance and support.

Hyperbaric testing validates the design and manufacturing of products intended to work in subsea conditions or other high-pressure environments. The process offers assurance to manufacturers and customers that the equipment will perform safely and correctly.

Australia does not currently have suitable hyperbaric test facilities to accommodate subsea control modules, which must be sent overseas for inspection and repairs.

This extends supply chains, increases transport cost and risk, reduces visibility of repairs or fault diagnostics, and has led to many operators carrying larger than optimum spares inventories.

Once operational later this year, the new facility will provide local subsea control module testing and reduce the test and repair turnaround time from up to four months down to just two weeks, providing a reduction in costs for operators and equipment suppliers.

The new facility can be expanded to provide local capability for repairs and maintenance, further minimising cost and schedule delays, and developing a pool of local expertise and future jobs that can service both the Australian and regional sector's needs.

This is the first step towards development of a more comprehensive regional deep water testing facility in WA, being led by the Subsea Innovation Cluster Australia, industry partners Baker Hughes and Matrix Composites and Engineering, and supported by the LNG Jobs Taskforce.

Developing a hyperbaric test facility in WA positions the State as a regional testing hub for local, national and overseas customers.

Comments attributed to State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook:

"The McGowan Government's vision and commitment in building Australia's first hyperbaric chamber test facility right here in our State demonstrates our strategy of diversifying our economy by creating new industries and jobs.

"This world-class facility will streamline the test and repair process, providing significant time and cost savings across the subsea industry for operators and equipment suppliers.

"Jointly funded by the State Government and industry, this is an exciting step towards the development of a comprehensive regional deep water testing facility in WA."

Minister's office - 6552 6500

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Australia's first ever hyperbaric test facility for subsea control modules to be based in WA - Media Statements

North Korea on Sunday reported 15 additional deaths from "fever" after the country recently announced its first-ever cases of Covid-19 and ordered nationwide lockdowns.

State media KCNA said a total of 42 people had died, with 820,620 cases and at least 324,550 under medical treatment.

More than a million people have now been sickened by what Pyongyang is calling a "fever", state media said.

Some 50 people have died, but it's unclear how many of those suspected cases tested positive for Covid.

North Korea has only limited testing capacity, so few cases are confirmed.

North Koreans are likely to be especially vulnerable to the virus due to lack of vaccinations and a poor healthcare system. A nationwide lockdown is in place in the reclusive country.

Leader Kim Jong Un has said the outbreak has caused "great upheaval" in North Korea.

KCNA reported that "all provinces, cities and counties of the country have been totally locked down and working units, production units and residential units closed from each other."

Despite activating its "maximum emergency quarantine system" to slow the spread of disease through its unvaccinated population, North Korea is now reporting large numbers of new cases daily.

North Korea confirmed Thursday that the highly contagious Omicron variant had been detected in the capital Pyongyang, with Kim ordering nationwide lockdowns.

It was the government's first official admission of Covid cases and marked the failure of a two-year coronavirus blockade maintained since the start of the pandemic.

"The spread of malignant disease comes to be a great upheaval in our country since the founding of the DPRK," Kim said Saturday, referring to North Korea by its official name.

North Korea is believed to be mostly relying on isolating people with symptoms at shelters. Analyst Cheong Seong-Chang at South Koreas Sejong Institute said the Norths limited number of test kits are likely mainly reserved for the ruling elite.

Failing to slow the virus could have dire consequences for North Korea, considering its broken health care system and that its people are believed to be unvaccinated. Theres also malnourishment and chronic poverty.

The North imposed what it described as maximum preventive measures that restricted travel between cities and counties, and Kim ordered public health officials, teachers and others to identify people with fevers so they could be quarantined. As of Sunday, more than 564,860 people were in quarantine, North Koreas state media reported.

North Koreas previous claim of a perfect record in keeping out the virus for 2 1/2 years was widely doubted. But its extremely strict border closure, large-scale quarantines and propaganda that stressed anti-virus controls as a matter of national existence may have staved off a huge outbreak until now.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told the National Assembly on Monday that the South was willing to send vaccines, medicine, equipment and health personnel to the North if its willing to accept.

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The rest is here:
North Korea COVID outbreak spins out of control; over a million cases and counting - Free Press Journal