BBC protests “foreign agent” designation of two of its journalists

1 February 2025

BBC protests “foreign agent” designation of two of its journalists

The BBC has said that it strongly rejects the decision by the Russian authorities to designate Ilya Abishev and Elizaveta Fokht as “foreign agents”. BBC News Russian journalists have been singled out, following earlier designations of Ilya Barabanov, Anastasia Lotareva, Andrey Kozenko, and Olga Ivshina.

BBC News Global Director and BBC Deputy CEO, Jonathan Munro, says: “It has now become a routine exercise for the Russian authorities to add BBC News Russian journalists to their list of ‘foreign agents’. The BBC wholly condemns this ongoing attempt to intimidate and silence our journalists. Aimed at having a disruptive and damaging effect, these arbitrary designations can’t stop our journalists doing their jobs. Journalism is not a crime, and our reporters will continue serving our Russian-speaking audiences just as they have done for almost 80 years: independently, fairly, and fearlessly. We are proud of all our journalists. We will challenge these actions by the Russian authorities in the courts. These journalists have our total support.”

Part of BBC World Service, BBC News Russian is a key provider of impartial and independent news to the Russian-speaking world, reaching its audiences across a range of digital platforms.

BBC World Service sets out savings plan for the year ahead

29 January 2025

BBC World Service sets out savings plan for the year ahead

BBC World Service makes operational changes in order to meet £6m worth of savings requirements with around 130 roles closing

The BBC World Service has announced that it will be making a series of changes in order to meet savings requirements for the year ahead.

Despite the government providing a what the BBC says is a welcome uplift in the grant-in-aid funding for the World Service, previous freezes on the licence fee, global inflation, and the need for ongoing digital and technological upkeep have meant savings are necessary.

The BBC World Service is also operating in a highly competitive global media environment with international news providers investing billions in state-backed media that sees increased competition for staff, platforms and frequencies, and audiences.

In total, the savings needed for the next financial year are around £6m and will largely be met by the closure of posts with a net reduction of around 130 roles.

The BBC World Service’s commitment to providing journalism of the highest quality across its 42 language services is undiminished. It says that it will continue to counter disinformation, provide emergency services in times of crisis and report from all corners of the globe.

The operational changes will be in line with the BBC’s broader digital first strategy, ensuring our services are fit for the future and reflecting changing audience behaviour.

Jonathan Munro, Global Director and Deputy CEO, BBC News, says:

“While the result of the latest grant-in-aid funding settlement means we are able to maintain all of our existing language services, we were clear it would not stave off difficult decisions in order to remain globally competitive and meet our savings requirements. These changes will ensure we operate effectively with the resource we have, creating the most impact for audiences internationally.”

Key changes will include; closing posts across the BBC World Service in the UK and internationally, closing roles in BBC Monitoring whilst also reinvesting in strategically important skills, making changes to the commissioning mix on World Service English, and reshaping some of our World Service Language teams to enhance the focus on digital output

Radio Liberty Russian available in Estonia

9 January 2025

Radio Liberty Russian available in Estonia

Estonia’s Duo Media Networks and the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) have signed an agreement making the Russian-language news radio Radio Svoboda available around the clock on the DAB+ digital radio platform in Tallinn, Harju County, Tartu County, and Pärnu County.

Radio Svoboda is an internationally recognized news radio station with a mission to provide accurate and uncensored news, open debates, and analyses, while also combating the spread of disinformation. Funded by the US Congress, the station has been operating since 1953, offering reliable information to audiences who have long been under the influence of communist propaganda.

Radio Svoboda is a key part of the international media organization Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), which broadcasts in 27 languages across 23 countries, reaching 47 million listeners weekly. The European headquarters of RFE/RL is located in Prague, an internationally significant hub for independent journalism.

“Bringing Radio Svoboda to the DAB+ platform in Estonia helps expand the reach of high-quality Russian-language news and promote a culture of open dialogue,” said Risto Rosimannus, CEO of Duo Media Networks. “We are proud to support the availability of reliable and independent media in a region where it is critically important.”

France Médias Monde channels cover reopening of Notre-Dame

5 December 2024

France Médias Monde channels cover reopening of Notre-Dame

After more than five years of complex construction following the fire that partially destroyed the Cathedral in 2019, the doors of Notre-Dame de Paris will reopen on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, the dates of the reopening to the public and the first Sunday mass. To bring this global event to life for its listeners, viewers and Internet users, France Médias Monde channels are covering the event in special programmes in French and 21 other languages.

Journalists from RFI, France 24 and Monte Carlo Doualiya have followed the progress of the work over the past five years and have met with the major players in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame. The channels are offering series of documentaries, reports, as well as interviews and analyses to understand the scope, particularly internationally, of this historic and religious monument.

All times are Paris/CET (GMT+1)

On France 24

The four France 24 channels (in French, English, Arabic and Spanish) will offer worldwide coverage of the reopening of Notre-Dame to their viewers and Internet users. Special correspondents intervene live to deliver the highlights of the ceremonies, accompanied by guests and international commentators on set.

Friday, December 6:

> At 4:15 p.m., “News» offers a special edition on “The builders of Notre-Dame, yesterday and today”.

Laure Manent meets women who helped rebuild the cathedral: a construction manager, an art restorer and a roofer. They talk about the difficulties they encountered in bringing an 850-year-old building back to life, but also their enthusiasm, alongside the hundreds of craftsmen who worked tirelessly to enable the reopening promised for December 8, 2024.

A show that can also be found in English in “The 51 Percent», presented by Annette Young on December 6 at 4:15 p.m.

> At 12:15 p.m., “ On Show » (in French) and « Arts 24 » (in English), offer a portrait of Jean-Charles de Castelbajac who presents at the “Notre Dame workshop” the liturgical vestments and ornaments that he made for the approximately 700 prelates who will take part in the reopening ceremonies.

On the Arabic channel, “ Paris Secret », presented by Tatiana El Khoury , offers a special Notre-Dame de Paris program, five years after the restoration work.

> In news coverage

France 24 is broadcasting live, in French, English, Arabic and Spanish, the official ceremony of December 7 and is covering the return of the faithful to the cathedral throughout the day.

Throughout December 7 and 8, France 24 will broadcast a series of reports, special editions, and will welcome numerous guests on set.

> On digital

The France 24 digital editorial team is offering a liveblog to follow the ceremonies of December 7 and 8 in real time. The special correspondents offer exclusive content, to be followed on the website and social networks of the international channel in French, English, Arabic and Spanish.

All the reports, portraits, interviews and magazines broadcast on France 24 can be found on france24.com and social networks.

On RFI

> Special editions

Saturday, December 7th

Throughout the day, the editorial team offers interviews and live reports from Notre-Dame to follow the official reopening ceremony and its preparation. At 7:20 a.m., the editorial team welcomes Philippe Villeneuve , chief architect of historical monuments in charge of Notre-Dame, in “ Le grandinvité international ” .

At 1:10 p.m., special edition with Patrick Jouenne , carpenter, responsible for the construction site, design and assembly of the spire of Notre Dame and Dany Sandron , professor of medieval art history at Sorbonne University.

From 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., RFI is dedicating an edition to the event, with Emile Armand Benoit , roofer-ornamentalist, named Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2015, who participated in the renovation of Notre-Dame de Paris, and Father Bertrand Auville , priest of the diocese of Nanterre.

Sunday, December 8

Special editions from 8 a.m. with many guests, including Benjamin Mouton , former chief architect of Notre Dame and member of the Scientific Council for the restoration of Notre Dame, and live interventions from correspondents around the world and special envoys to Notre-Dame for the first Sunday mass.

At 10:30 a.m., the “ Big report » (20 minutes) by Muriel Maalouf looks back at the saga of the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris (also broadcast on Thursday, December 5 at 12:10 p.m. and 8:40 p.m.).

From 11 a.m., Véronique Gaymard presents a special program of “ Religions of the World ” live, in the presence of Arnaud Alibert , editor-in-chief of Religions of the newspaper La Croix, and with several interviews.

> Also available in RFI magazines

Saturday, December 7 at 6:10 p.m .: “ The political workshop », presented by Frédéric Rivière , devotes a program to the links between the State and the Church today.
From Sunday, December 1st to January 26th at 8:55 a.m. and 1:54 p.m ^.: in the 9-episode special series of “ 100% creation : The builders of Notre-Dame ”, Maria Afonso meets the craftsmen (bell maker, organ builder, chandelier maker, stained glass artist, etc.) involved in the reconstruction of the cathedral, which involved building trades, craftsmen and designers for the restorations and reconstructions.
Sunday, December 8 at 2:10 p.m .: in “ So far so close ” , Céline Develay-Mazurelle offers a 3D audio sound immersion, produced by RFI Labo, in the daily life of the cathedral. Based on recordings made a few years before the fire, RFI invites you on a timeless journey to the heart of the most famous cathedral in France, which is preparing to resume its former life, from the square crowded with tourists to the sacristy, via its nave or its two towers with their fantastic bestiary.

> RFI in foreign languages

RFI’s 16 foreign-language newsrooms also offer a comprehensive system to retrace the reconstruction process, from the fire to the reopening on December 7, through videos, series of reports, interviews, monitoring of construction sites, etc. To make this saga of the reconstruction of Notre-Dame heard throughout the world and in all languages, in which international artisans participated, a symbol of France throughout the world.

> On digital

All reports and content can be found on the digital environments and the siterfi.fr, which devotes an article to the reconstruction of Notre-Dame and the scale of the work. A file on the history of the cathedral can also be found on ” RFI Knowledge », the section that provides the keys to understanding the world.

On MCD

Thursday 5 and Friday 6 December at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.:

“Journal of Culture », at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., presented by Lina Mahmoud , is devoted to the human and cultural aspects of the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, five years after the terrible fire of April 19, 2019.

” Hot coffee », at 8:45 a.m., hosted by Hanane Abdallah and Atif Ali Salih , offers fascinating stories from enthusiasts, as well as reflections on the importance of Notre-Dame as a universal symbol of resilience and unity.

Saturday, December 7 at 5:30 a.m. and 7:50 a.m.:

“ Dialogue ”, presented by Rita Courie, offers an interview with Father Ralph Chamoun, parish assistant of the Notre Dame du Liban cathedral in Paris, about the reopening.

France Médias Monde strengthens collaboration with Mexican radio stations

4 December 2024

France Médias Monde strengthens collaboration with Mexican radio stations

Marie-Christine Saragosse, President and CEO of France Médias Monde, has signed two framework agreements to strengthen collaboration between RFI and Mexican public and university radio stations

The first is a tripartite framework agreement between France Médias Monde , La RED México, which brings together all of Mexico’s educational and cultural radio and TV stations, and the Federation of French Alliances of Mexico. This agreement was signed during a session with the remote participation of Fernando Sánchez Mejorada and Azucena Pimentel, respectively the outgoing president and new president of RED México, as well as Clémence Mayoral, coordinator of the Federation of French Alliances of Mexico.

This agreement makes available to RED México the original bilingual series of initiation to the French language of RFI “Parlez-vous Paris?” and “Les voisins du 12 bis“, adapted for Spanish speakers, and grants their broadcast on the airwaves of the network radios wishing to program them. These original series, produced by the “Langue française” service of RFI and which are part of the offer “Easy French with RFI“, and the dedicated teaching materials (teaching sheets, self-correcting exercises, comic strips, etc.) can also be used in classes by the thirty or so Alliances Françaises in Mexico, an observer member country of the OIF.

The second is a bilateral framework agreement between the Association of University Radios of Mexico (RRUM), represented remotely by its president Sandra Fernández Alaniz , and France Médias Monde.

This agreement aims to increase collaboration between RFI and the 22 university radio stations that are part of this network, several of which already broadcast RFI programs in Spanish in Mexico. It is intended to facilitate training and exchange projects between Mexican university radio stations and RFI, as well as to strengthen the promotion of the “RFI Award for reporting in Spanish”, which celebrated its 10th edition in 2024, among Mexican Universities.

Thanks in particular to these agreements and an active partnership policy, Mexico now constitutes RFI’s third largest listener base, and the Latin American country in which RFI has the largest number of partner radio stations that broadcast its content.

Image: Marie Christine Saragosse and Blanca Jiménez Cisneros at the signing of framework agreements, courtesy France Médias Monde

85 Years of ABC International

4 December 2024

85 Years of ABC International

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) celebrates 85 years as Australia’s trusted international voice.

On 20 December 1939, just after the start of WWII, Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies launched ABC Radio Australia, then called Australian Calling, to counter disinformation and propaganda from enemy forces. Since then, ABC International has undergone many changes. Today, it is engaging audiences in Asia and the Pacific and supporting media across the region through the work of two teams – ABC International Services and ABC International Development.

ABC Radio Australia and international television service ABC Australia reach nearly 11 million people each month and digital platforms ABC Pacific and ABC Asia are also experiencing rapid growth. Meanwhile, media capacity building activities, funded by the Australian Government through DFAT and managed by ABC International Development, continue to expand, promoting public interest journalism in the Asia Pacific.

As part of the birthday celebrations, ABC International has launched an interactive storytelling platform, the Indo-Pacific Media Map, which portrays the ABC’s activities, audiences and impact across the region.

This week, international audiences will also enjoy special birthday content on ABC Pacific, ABC Asia and ABC Radio Australia, including ABC Radio Australia Nesia Daily presenters Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow interviewing iconic former ABC Radio Australia identities and unearthing some of the biggest moments from the past 85 years of programming and an in-depth digital feature delving into ABC International’s fascinating past.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “I am incredibly proud of ABC International’s legacy as the trusted and independent Australian voice for 85 years in the Asia Pacific region. As we take this moment to reflect on our journey, we also look to the future as we continue to grow our international audiences and deepen our connections, championing regional storytelling and a robust and independent media landscape.”

EXPLORE THE INDO-PACIFIC MEDIA MAP

Take a journey through the media landscape of Asia and the Pacific using our interactive platform, the Indo-Pacific Media Map, and discover the depth and impact of the ABC’s international activities: https://indopacificmediamap.abc.net.au/