EBU Elects New President, Vice President

The European Broadcasting Union has unveiled the names of its new president and vice president.

During the EBU’s virtual General Assembly, board members nominated Delphine Ernotte Cunci, CEO France Télévisions, as EBU president. They also elected Petr Dvořák, director general Česká Televize, as vice president.

Both Cunci and Dvořák will begin their new roles at the EBU on Jan. 1, for a two-year period.

The EBU explains that its president and vice president are responsible for leading the organization’s executive board, and for helping to “champion the value and importance of public service media across Europe.”

Cunci, who is the EBU’s first female president, became CEO of France Télévisions in 2015. The public broadcaster recently elected her to serve as head of its organization for a second term.

Prior to joining France Télévisions, Cunci spent 26 years at Orange S.A. (previously France Télécom). She worked as CEO of Orange France from 2011–2015. Cunci is currently serving as vice president of the EBU and will replace ex-BBC Director General Tony Hall as president.

“I am very honored by the trust and confidence that members have bestowed upon me,” stated Cunci. “The health crisis has underlined the major democratic role played by public service media in accessing free and trusted information. The diversity of our countries and our cultures is a major strength in confronting global media platforms and I will, of course, rely on it,” she said.

“I will follow in the footsteps of my predecessor Tony Hall, to whom I pay tribute, so that our alliance can continue to uphold Europe’s cultural and technological sovereignty.

Petr Dvořák has been director general of Czech Television since 2011. Prior to joining the public broadcaster, he served as senior vice president for Central European Media Enterprises. He also worked as director general of commercial radio station, TV Nova.

“Without any doubt, these are difficult times. However, public service media are good at doing difficult things. It’s part of our DNA and we have proven, recently as well as during our long history, that we excel at fulfilling different public needs no matter what,” said Dvořák.

“Despite the pandemic, the economic changes, political pressures, the transformation of viewing habits, technological development and transnational competitors, we keep on working and we are, after all, the most trusted media in Europe.”