LARGE HATS AND LARGE ISSUES – THE WEMF IN MEXICO
The World Electronic Media Forum takes place in different parts of the world every two years. 2009 is the turn of Mexico City.
WEMF discusses and pontificates on worldwide issues in media content and policy for broadcasting and Internet. How far have the good intentions of the last WEMFs been put into practice? What are the new challenges coming out of the age of ‘convergence? These were what the delegates from all over the world came to Mexico City to find out.
Did we think about H1N1 as we flew in? Of course. All passengers when they land have to complete a questionnaire about whether they had a sniffle, throat tickle, or headache recently. It’s actually difficult on a 12 hour air controlled flight not to.
Further on, all passengers must press a large red button, which measures your temperature. But hang on, if the person in front of you presses the button and he has the virus, won’t you pick it up from the button…..?
Mexico City is spectacular from the incoming air plane seat, and seems to sit on top of a plateau of a billion lights. You learn that locally it’s pronounced Meh-he-co…but then try to hail a ‘Tah-he’, and nary a cab appears.
The Sessions will cover the relationship between Internet and Broadcasting, the impact of the digital switch over, journalists just doing their job in mortal danger, helping persons with disabilities (now subject of a recent UN Convention), and the need for broadcasters to work closer to bodies like the UK to ensure the public hears the important things. It should be interesting. Subject to compatibility of local spicy food and my interior system I will report highlights over the next few days.
Filed under: Electronic media, Uncategorized
