15 January 2004
A Saudi satellite news channel went on air 11 January 2004. Al-Ikhbariya is the fourth TV channel transmitting from the kingdom but the first to specialise in news and current affairs. Initially on air for 12 hours a day, it will eventually transmit around the clock. The channel has 46 correspondents in the country and abroad, and in a Saudi first, includes three Saudi women among its news anchors.
Al-Ikhbariya joins a growing number of regional satellite news channels, led by Qatar’s Al-Jazeera and Dubai-based Al-Arabiya, which is Saudi-owned.
15 January 2004
The Hutton Report into the circumstances surrounding the death of British government scientist Dr David Kelly will be announced on 28 January.
The Hutton Inquiry investigated the role of the BBC, Britain’s Ministry of Defence and the British Prime Minister’s office and the report is expected to have significant impact on British politics and the way that journalists and news editors cover stories.
The BBC has already introduced some changes in the way it operates in advance of the Report’s publication, such as restricting its journalists from writing for newspapers and magazines.
15 January 2004
Stephen Stewart has joined BBC Broadcast as Head of Operations to help manage the channels in the Broadcast Centre, which opened 6 October 2003. Stephen previously managed the Five account at the London Playout Centre. Prior to this he managed the Flextech channels, including five major satellite channels, live studio, and 13 post suites. He also implemented a video server and automation technology to allow the channels to expand to 17. Previously he was the programme director for Formula One Communications and a Senior Network Director for Channel 4.
Margaret Kelly, Director of Playout and Media Services, commented, “Stephen will be a key member of our playout management team and brings valuable experience to our business as we start to playout channels from the new Broadcast Centre over the next year.”
15 January 2004
Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing Testing
15 January 2004
On 7 January 2004, the French government officially launched the process of integration of RFO (France Overseas Network) with the state-owned group France Televisions, with the promise that there would be no job losses at RFO.
The bill turning RFO into a fully-fledged component of France Televisions on the same footing with France 2, France 3 and France 5, will be submitted to the National Assembly in February, and Culture and Communications Minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon said that the process of integration should take place by the end of 2004.
According to the government, RFO’s integration in the state-owned group is aimed at sustaining its development. It should enable RFO to ensure greater observance of the territorial continuity of national broadcasts, and to produce more local programmes, while the other networks of the France Televisions group, both national and theme-based, would be able to give a picture of life in the overseas territories.
15 January 2004
Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test Another Test
