FIFA/AUB Broadcast Academy opens

Accra, April 14, GNA - The first ever broadcast seminar for media personnel has opened in Accra ahead of the FIFA 2010 World Cup to be hosted by South Africa.

The event dubbed "FIFA/AUB Broadcast Academy" is an initiative of the Africa Union of Broadcasting (AUB) in collaboration with the world's soccer governing body, Federation of International Football Association, (FIFA) which seeks to enhance the professional skills of staff of member organizations in the fields of marketing, programme production, reporting and technical capacity.

The six-day programme, which ends on Sunday, April 19 is being collaborated by the Ghana Television Consortium consisted by three of the nation's free-to-air television channels; Ghana Television (GTV), Metropolitan Television (Metro TV) and TV3. The programme further confirms the acquisition of the rights for the FIFA 2010 World Cup and other events by the three television channels.

Nii Nortey Dua, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports in an address at the opening of the seminar pledged government's support towards related issues, while applauding the bold decision by the three television channels. Niclas Ericson, FIFA Head of Broadcast and Media Rights outlined some of the modules that the participants will be taken through to ensure successful broadcast of all FIFA events. He also announced that plans are advanced to organize a similar project for radio rights. Larry Atease, Chief Executive of AUB, of which the three television channels are members, also outlined procedures for other television stations to get on board to equip the personnel with the necessary experience. The seminar will also address modules such as Live TV directing, Live commentary as well as Image gathering techniques. Participants at the academy include TV and Radio professionals, sports journalists, producers and video operators.