Archivists discuss digitization at HRT, in ZagrebSeven Balkans public broadcasters have agreed to join forces for the collective digitization of their audiovisual archives, a precious cultural resource that would be irretrievably lost if left on perishable analogue tape.

The recommendations for action emerged from a meeting in Zagreb staged by the EBU and HRT, which brought together 21 chief archivists from Albania (RTSH); Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT); Croatia (HRT); Macedonia (MKRTV); Montenegro (RTCG) and Serbia (RTS and RTV), as well as Kosovo’s public broadcaster RTK.

Next steps include:

• Creation of an EBU best practices guide on archiving and archivist training
• Mobilization for securing external financing
• Establishment of a shared online workspace for the exchange of materials
• Construction and coordination of a shared database
• Identification and development of common projects
• Organization of a donors' meeting in Sarajevo, in November

EBU Partnership Programme Project Manager Radka Betcheva said: “We cannot overstate the huge importance of audiovisual archives as a cultural and historical resource. Meetings like this facilitate professional exchanges and give impetus to EBU Members’ efforts to put their archives to best use in the most efficient and economical ways.”

The meeting was organized by the EBU Partnership Programme and EBU Technology & Innovation. Dr Hans Hoffmann, Head of Production Technology at EBU Technology & Innovation stressed the importance of defining archives as an integral part of the production chain, to meet the content demands of the future. He said that interoperable formats and interfaces, the consideration of the workflow impact, and an evolutionary approach will play vital roles in the utilisation of archives, and the digitization process.

The French National Audiovisual Institute (INA), the International Federation of TV Archives (IFTA), the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) and Austrian public service broadcaster (ORF) also joined the meeting to share their knowledge and experiences.

In addition, the archivists accepted an HRT proposal to launch an operational group, with staff from HRT and RTS, to lead the regional exchange of information and develop a blueprint for archiving historical Yugoslav productions of key cultural value, an idea tabled by Christoph Bauer of ORF.