By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s (CBU) 57th Annual General Assembly continued in Guyana on Monday with an Exhibitors Showcase at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in Liliendaal, Georgetown.
Organized under the theme “Caribbean Media & AI,” the showcase convened regional broadcasters, media executives, communications specialists, and technology vendors to examine emerging broadcast technologies, artificial intelligence integration, and media development across the Caribbean basin.
Embracing AI in Regional Newsrooms
Opening the showcase, CBU President Anthony Greene highlighted the transformative role artificial intelligence plays in evolving media workflows, emphasizing the Union’s commitment to equipping regional journalists with practical digital tools:
“The CBU has strengthened its engagements on artificial intelligence… through our colleagues, we are providing practical resources to help journalists embrace AI technologies to enhance their reporting capabilities and manage generated material effectively.”
Industry Voices: Evolution of Technology and Climate Storytelling
Attendees, exhibitors, and regional delegates shared insights on technological shifts and urgent editorial priorities:
- Evolution of Broadcast Technology: CBU Consultant Jewel Forde reflected on the historical exhibits on display, noting the transition from bulky analog field recorders and heavy broadcast gear to modern compact digital tools and micro-transmitters:“Guyana has pulled out all the stops. Seeing the mini-exhibition with the old technology we used to use versus how we have come to small microphones and mobile tools—the changes in technology have been amazing.”
- Incentivizing Climate Change Coverage: St. Lucian Communications Specialist Tecla Fontenard underscored that climate change remains an existential threat to island and low-lying coastal states, explaining that capacity-building workshops and media awards are vital to driving investigative environmental reporting across Caribbean newsrooms.
- Supporting Ecological Journalism: Cleveland Sam, Director of Marketing at The Nature Conservancy, noted that the organization partners with the CBU to sponsor excellence awards recognizing journalists who spotlight nature-based solutions, coastal protection, and mangrove preservation.
- Broadcast Compliance and Standards: Highlighting national standards, Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Administrative Manager and Board Secretary Nualla Da Silva outlined the agency’s role as the regulatory watchdog ensuring adherence to national broadcast guidelines and frequency management.
The Exhibitors Showcase concluded as a central networking and technology hub for the 57th General Assembly, fostering cross-border collaboration and establishing modern digital strategies for media practitioners across the Caribbean Community.
