30 August 2004
The AIB has protested the closure of the Baghdad bureau of Aljazeera on Saturday 7 August 2004 by the Iraqi government.
Above: An Aljazeera reporter being
escorted out of the office
The closure will do nothing to aid the establishment of democracy and civil society within Iraq, nor will it assist the free and fair reporting of events in the country to the Middle East. There is no credible evidence that the channel, a member – along with many other international radio and television broadcasters – of this Association, has encouraged criminals in Iraq or advocated or incited hatred and racial tension as the Iraqi authorities suggest.
Aljazeera, with a regular audience of well over 35 million people in the Arab-speaking world, is the only pan-Arab broadcaster to openly embrace and promote a code of ethics similar to that which journalists in international television and radio broadcasters worldwide work to. It is the only pan-Arab network that has engaged multiple trainers from western broadcasters and media training institutes to ensure that its rapidly growing staff are taught the need to be impartial, fair and accurate in their reporting and editing.
“The restrictions placed on Aljazeeras team working in Iraq may provide obstacles to the channels ability to report directly from the scene,” says Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the AIB. “However, the Iraqi government fails to understand the way in which modern television newsgathering operations function as Aljazeera will have continued access to video footage and correspondents reports from the country thanks to its long-standing arrangements with the mainstream news agencies and with other broadcasters.”
“This closure damages the Arab worlds perception of the fledgling Iraqi government,” Spanswick continues. “It suppresses factual news and information from high-quality journalists and harms the first freedom – that of free expression. We call on the Iraqi government to reverse its decision and allow Aljazeera to operate feely in the country.”
17 August 2004
Intelsat (AIB Member)is to be acquired by a consortium of private investors – valued at approximately $5 billion.Intelsat will be amalgamated under Bermuda law with Zeus Holdings Limited – a company formed by a consortium of funds advised by Apax Partners, Apollo Management, Madison Dearborn Partners and Permira. At closing, Zeus will be acquiring Intelsat, and Intelsat’s current shareholders generally will be entitled to receive $18.75 for each Intelsat share issued and outstanding immediately prior to closing.
Conny Kullman – CEO said, “this transaction comes at a time when Intelsat is successfully executing on its strategies for market leadership in the fixed satellite services sector. We believe that the acquisition of Intelsat by this consortium of well-respected private equity investors represents the best opportunity for Intelsat to achieve its strategic goals.”
9 August 2004
The AIB has protested the closure of the Baghdad bureau of Aljazeera on Saturday 7 August 2004 by the Iraqi government.
The closure will do nothing to aid the establishment of democracy and civil society within Iraq, nor will it assist the free and fair reporting of events in the country to the Middle East. There is no credible evidence that the channel, a member – along with many other international radio and television broadcasters – of this Association, has encouraged criminals in Iraq or advocated or incited hatred and racial tension as the Iraqi authorities suggest.
Aljazeera, with a regular audience of well over 35 million people in the Arab-speaking world, is the only pan-Arab broadcaster to openly embrace and promote a code of ethics similar to that which journalists in international television and radio broadcasters worldwide work to. It is the only pan-Arab network that has engaged multiple trainers from western broadcasters and media training institutes to ensure that its rapidly growing staff are taught the need to be impartial, fair and accurate in their reporting and editing.
“The restrictions placed on Aljazeeras team working in Iraq may provide obstacles to the channels ability to report directly from the scene,” says Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the AIB. “However, the Iraqi government fails to understand the way in which modern television newsgathering operations function as Aljazeera will have continued access to video footage and correspondents reports from the country thanks to its long-standing arrangements with the mainstream news agencies and with other broadcasters.”
“This closure damages the Arab worlds perception of the fledgling Iraqi government,” Spanswick continues. “It suppresses factual news and information from high-quality journalists and harms the first freedom – that of free expression. We call on the Iraqi government to reverse its decision and allow Aljazeera to operate feely in the country.”
7 August 2004
CNBC Europe, a joint venture of NBC Universal and Dow Jones & Company and the leading pan-European financial and business television network, has appointed Mick Buckley President and Managing Director. Effective immediately, Buckley will be responsible for all aspects of operations and strategic initiatives including increasing distribution, expanding locally produced European programming, extending live coverage from the leading European financial centers and developing additional local-language affiliates. Buckley replaces Rick Cotton, who recently was named Executive Vice President and General Counsel of NBC Universal.
“As one of the most experienced executives in pan-European television, Mick brings proven leadership skills to the helm and I’m delighted that he is taking on this role,” said Pamela Thomas-Graham, President and Chief Executive Officer, CNBC. “Through Mick’s contributions, we have made significant progress commercially over the past year, and I look forward to him taking the channel to greater heights going forward.”
Thomas-Graham added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Rick Cotton for his tremendous contribution to CNBC Europe. Under his leadership, the network has dramatically upgraded its on-air presentation, expanded its reach across Europe to 85 million homes, developed programming partnerships with TV channels in Germany, Italy, Turkey, Russia and the Middle East, and built CNBC Europe’s brand recognition throughout the European business and financial communities.”
In this new capacity, Buckley will report to the CNBC International board, which is made up of its 50/50 joint-venture partners, NBC Universal and Dow Jones. Buckley has been with CNBC Europe since March 2003, serving as the network’s Executive Vice President and Commercial Director. During this time, the network has increased its revenue by 30%. In addition, Buckley has worked to increase brand awareness and has been successful in bringing many international brands to the channel for the first time. He also has put in place a strong commercial team across both advertising sales and distribution.
Before joining CNBC Europe, Buckley worked at Turner Broadcasting Systems Europe, where he held a number of senior distribution and sales roles, eventually becoming Executive Vice President of News Networks and UK Managing Director. Buckley started his career in television working for ITV, where he worked for both Carlton Television and Television South West.
7 August 2004
SRI ended its news and current affairs programmes in April, but broadcasts are continuing on shortwave and satellite until the end of October. SRI is to cease all radio broadcasts at the end of October to concentrate exclusively on its Internet platform (www.swissinfo.org).
To mark the end of its broadcasts a special series of radio programmes looks back at key events that have shaped SRI and Switzerland over the past seven decades, since SRI first hit the airwaves in 1935.
