IABM launches collective support platform for Ukraine

IABM — the international trade association for broadcast and media technology suppliers — has launched a collective support platform, Stand with Ukraine, to coordinate an industry response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Peter White, IABM’s CEO, said the move was in response to a call from several of its members. “We have already taken what steps we can and are creating a platform for our members who are like-minded in their damnation of this illegal act,” said White.

“It is IABM’s aim to act as a facilitator and catalyst, coordinating our supportive members’ voluntary statements about their stance on the conflict and their pledges to ban shipments and support to Russia during this difficult time. In addition, and as a parallel initiative, we will publish a ‘live’ statement of members who have pledged financial support to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine,” White added.

IABM members can pledge their support on the platform and see other members’ responses, such as those from Avid, 2wcom, Soniflex and Nextologies. The page also includes links to suggested humanitarian aid organizations supporting work on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries accepting Ukrainian refugees.

Ross Video CEO, David Ross, said when suggesting that IABM could create this forum, “I’m confident that many companies would like to take a public stand in the face of true tyranny that is openly threatening Europe and a regime that is now likely guilty of crimes against humanity. Being in the media industry, I’m fully aware that our tools can promote a wide range of ideas that inevitably will not align with our own personal beliefs. That’s normal; we sell typewriters, not content, as it were. This isn’t about differing ideas; this is about doing what we can to hinder naked aggression towards a European democracy.”