UNESCO’s Warning: Magnetic Tape Alert

On September 13, 2024, the National Film Archive (NFAJ) released an information page regarding “Magnetic Tape Alert,” a warning issued by UNESCO in 2019.

This alert states that if audio and video recorded on magnetic tape are not converted into digital files by around 2025, they may no longer be accessible.

Preserving Video Tapes and Converting to Digital Files

The information page contains reference materials related to preserving video tapes and converting them into digital files, as well as a list of video tape digitizing companies.

Special Event: Preserving Magnetic Tape Images

A special event, “Magnetic Tape Alert: What can be done to preserve magnetic tape images,” will be held on October 25th, sponsored by NFAJ, to commemorate UNESCO’s “World Audiovisual Heritage Day.”

Lectures by staff members of the National Audiovisual Materials Preservation Center at the Library of Congress (LC), activity reports from domestic collection institutions, and discussions are scheduled.

Related Resources

• Magnetic Tape Alert (National Film Archive)
• Special event commemorating UNESCO’s “World Audiovisual Heritage Day” Magnetic Tape Alert: What can be done to preserve magnetic tape footage (National Film Archive)
• Handouts for the emergency forum “Magnetic Tape Alert: What you can do before we lose our vast magnetic tape film heritage” (2021)
• UNESCO’s “Information for All Programme” and the International Audiovisual Archives Association (IASA) launch the “Magnetic Tape Alert Project” (2019)