Why the #RSFIndex virtual conference was not broadcast
The virtual conference organised by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on the occasion of the release of the 2020 edition of the World Press Freedom Index, titled “Journalism in crisis: a decisive decade,” encountered major technical problems which altered its course and prevented it from being broadcast.
Rappler editor-in-chief Maria Ressa, whistleblower Edward Snowden, Washington Post contributor Rana Ayyub, Nobel economics prize laureate Joseph Stiglitz, and RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire held their debate under difficult technical conditions, believing that a recording would be available for replay.
RSF immediately required an explanation from the San Francisco-based company Crowdcast. After an initial investigation, Crowdcast’s technical service informed RSF in writing that they had experienced "timeout issues with our servers -- which very unfortunately caused problems with your event, including the recordings."
RSF apologises to all those who had registered on the platform and to all who attempted to attend the conference. The maximum number of registrants for the virtual conference, which numbered 1,000, had been reached. We share the disappointment of the participants and the speakers.
RSF continues to pursue the matter with Crowdcast, and intends to obtain further explanations
