The European Broadcasting Union, the African Union of Broadcasters, Arab States Broadcasting Union and Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union have agreed to create a unified network committed to reducing the impact of the risk of disasters by leveraging and channeling support among its members to raise awareness of the risks before, during and after disaster strikes.
The broadcasters have called upon the international community to make commitments and investments. Among methods mentioned include safeguarding digital terrestrial broadcasting as a reliable source of information, engaging media in the development and implementation of policies and providing funding for journalist training and program content.
“What we are talking about here is playing to our strengths by joining forces with our fellow professional alliances around the world to take a pro-active stance,” said Giacomo Mazzone, EBU’s head of institutional relations. “Not just helping vulnerable communities to get back on their feet in the wake of a disaster but also helping them build resilience during quieter times.”
The formal pledge was issued at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan.
