Alain Massé, of Radio France, was elected chairman of the EBU Radio Committee this afternoon in a straightforward vote that wrapped up the 17th EBU Radio Assembly, hosted by Radio Vaticana.

A simple show of hands meant sole candidate Mr. Massé replaces Dr Heinz Sommer (ARD / HR), and will hold the chairmanship for two years. The other 13 Committee places, including three vice chairmanships, were also filled.

Accepting the appointment, Mr. Massé paid tribute to the "great merit" of his predecessor Dr. Sommer (ARD/HR), who this year leaves the Radio Committee.

Day two of the 17th Radio Assembly began with an open discussion about how Radio can tap into the global power of social media, which have influence in every aspect of modern societies. British internet technologist Ben Hammersley, who edits Wired UK, gave insights into how media organisations can use social media to their advantage.

The second session considered the importance of radio to the promotion of culture, and explored ways of dealing with funding cuts, such as inventive and interactive programming, fresh approaches to marketing and new partnerships.

The Radio Assembly was this year hosted by Radio Vatican, which celebrates the 80th anniversary of its founding by radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi. Marconi's daughter Principessa Elettra Marconi joined the 140 delegates for a gala reception at the Vatican Museums on Thursday evening (April 28).

Topics covered by this year's Assembly included recent developments in networked journalism, the impact of today's political and economic climate on public service broadcasting and the future structure of the EBU, and radio's role within it.

After the Radio Assembly closed, on Saturday 30 April, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI received the delegates at a special audience at his Castel Gandolfo residence, together with the EBU President and Director General.

Click here to view a video of the audience: Audience 30 April 2011

The last time this happened was in 1991, when Pope Jean-Paul II gave a special audience to the then EBU President and Director General, who had been attending that year's 42nd EBU General Assembly, also hosted by Radio Vaticana.

The Radio Committee

Chairman:
Alain Massé  (GRFSRF )

Vice Chairpersons:
Graham Ellis (GBBBC)
Miha Lampreht (RTVSLO)
Jan Westerhof (NLNPO)

Committee:
András István Demeter (ROROR)
Clare Duignan (IERTE)
Annika Nyberg Frankenhaeuser (FIYLE)
Francis Goffin (BERTBF)
Christian Gramsch (DEDW)
Tewfik Khelladi (DZERS)
Josep Martí (ESSER)
Zoran Mihajlovic (HTHRTR)
Marc Savary (CHSSR)
Sergio Valzania (ITRAI)