The Information Society and Media portfolio represents an economic sector which is crucial for prosperity and quality of life in the European Union. This portfolio stretches from the underlying communications infrastructures to the content and services they deliver. It encompasses telecommunication networks, broadband internet access and satellite communications, new communications technologies such as ‘3G’ mobile communications and Internet telephony, and digital material as diverse as cinema releases and advanced eHealth services.

As Information Society and Media Commissioner, Viviane Reding has a number of important instruments at her disposal to contribute to Europe’s competitiveness:

Nik Gowing has been heavily involved with the television coverage of many major global events for over 25 years.  On BBC World he announced the death of Princess Diana in 1997 and presented live for six hours during the immediate aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.  He was a key presenter in BBC World's coverage of the Iraq War in 2003 and fronted the unfolding tsunami disaster on 26 December. 

In addition to his on air TV news presenting, Nik has developed an expertise on issues related to the handling and analysing of real time information flows in times of major emergencies. The major challenge is what he has christened the ‘Tyranny of Real Time’.

The theme of his presentation will be:

‘Real Time Crises: New Real Time Media Tensions’.

In today's world the traditional media are no longer alone as bearers of witnesses in acute real-time crises. As the Asian Tsunami and London terror bombings have underlined, digital cameras, mobile phones, PDAs, broadband, ‘'blog' technologies and a new proliferation of amateur 'information doers' have emerged to challenge public impressions and official versions of what is talking place.  Credibility is at stake and often there is only minutes to establish it. The complex new tensions have implications for reputation management and public perceptions.

Gowing will discuss how the unresolved filtering and gatekeeping challenges have fundamental, fast-changing implications for newsrooms, governments and business corporations alike. He will highlight the deficit in appreciation of the rapid new information dynamic with details emerging in rapid succession from many different sources.  Read more here

Per Norman is CEO of SES SIRIUS AB (former Nordic Satellite AB), a leading satellite operator providing cost-effective solutions for broadcast and broadband services in the Nordic and East European countries. SES SIRIUS is also part of SES GLOBAL, the world?s leading satellite group. Per Norman joined SIRIUS in 2005 and has an extensive experience within the European media, telecommunications and satellite areas through his previous occupations, among others as Vice President within the Modern Times Group (MTG).

Elizabeth Longworth is a cyberspace-law expert and Director of UNESCO's Information Society Division since 2003. Previously Ms Longworth was the Director of the ICT Sector at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, New Zealand’s national economic development agency. She was responsible for the development and implementation of national strategies and programmes on ICT.

She has longstanding experience working with international agencies such as OECD, WIPO, and UNESCO, with whom she has collaborated in areas such as transborder data flows, online dispute resolution, e-privacy, copyright and patenting, global networks and e-commerce.