15 September 2017
Talia Limited, a leading communication provider serving the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas, announces the partnership with Arabsat of a new 10-channel video uplink to the Arabsat Badr-7 satellite located at 26°E.
The service will offer both SD and HD channel uplinks and will form the basis of a new high-power Ku-band neighbourhood over Iraq. Content will be up-linked from the Talia Teleport in Raisting, Germany and monitored for quality in the Talia NOC in Erbil on the Badr-7 located at 26E.
With many content creators looking to new audiences, the neighbourhood of channels will provide a voice and original Iraqi-themed programming to millions of currently underserved and underrepresented citizens. Following scheduled meetings at IBC in September, we expect the number of to increase further.
With Talia’s strong regional presence in Iraq and well-established customer base, Talia are ideally placed to serve the region.
“This partnership cements our on-going commitment to Arabsat,” stated Talia CEO and President Alan Afrasiab. “This service will start with 10 channels but we believe this will expand as more broadcasters reach the growing number of viewers in the region. The video platform continues to build on our existing broadcast services and experience and the Middle East’s leading communications provider.”
Khalid Balkheyour, Arabsat President & CEO said “Indeed, we have conducted cautious surveys during the course of selecting our teleport partner to launch Arabsat 1st DTH platform from Germany. We’ve reached the conclusion that Talia with its globally recognized brand in terms of adequate and reliable Satellite and Terrestrial Networks offering various facilities connecting Middle east and Europe with high monitoring capabilities and quality of service that provide excellent solution to ARABSAT DTH Services from Europe, of which shall provide Arabsat international & regional broadcasters with the optimum quality of service.”
(Source: Arabsat press release)
14 September 2017
The Broadcasting Board of Governors’ CEO John F. Lansing testified before the Helsinki Commission today on the escalation of Russian disinformation around the world and the BBG’s response to it.
“Make no mistake the United States is confronted by information warfare, and I don’t use that term lightly,” said Lansing. “The good work of our journalists around the world is an essential element of the national security tool kit through the export of objective, independent, and professional journalism and the universal values of free media and free speech.”
Lansing detailed the February launch of Current Time, a 24/7 Russian-language digital network that aims to reach Russian speakers in Russia, the Russian periphery, and around the world.
Current Time produces daily news shows about the United States and global events (including within Russia), and features reports on business, entrepreneurship, civil society, culture, and corruption. It is distributed in more than 23 countries on 59 satellite, cable, and digital distributors.
Co-chair Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) agreed with Lansing on the effectiveness of the network, “Current Time is a responsible and responsive attempt to get the truth out.”
The hearing, which examined Russia’s efforts to spread disinformation, both domestically and abroad, was chaired by Acting Chairman Cory Gardner (R-CO). Co-Chair Chris Smith (R-NJ), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) were among the Commission Members who attended.
In addition to BBG CEO Lansing, the committee heard testimony from Melissa Hooper, Director of Human Rights and Civil Society Programs at Human Rights First and Molly McKew, CEO of Fianna Strategies.
A recording of today’s hearing is available on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe’s website.
CEO Lansing’s written testimony is available here.
(Source: BBG press release)
13 September 2017
Arqiva, the UK’s leading communications infrastructure and media services company, has extended its lease for C and Ku-band capacity with Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), Asia’s leading satellite operator for sports content delivery across the Asia-Pacific.
The agreement will see Arqiva’s continued use of AsiaSat 5 to deliver a broad range of sporting events to Asian viewers, from football and cricket, to volleyball and tennis. The new agreement also provides Arqiva the option of using Ku-band capacity on AsiaSat 7, allowing additional flexibility in the deployment of smaller antennas for occasional use and live events. Arqiva’s expanded collaboration with AsiaSat demonstrates AsiaSat’s capability in presenting a wide range of satellite capacity of the quality and penetration that meets clients’ distribution needs. AsiaSat’s ubiquitous coverage now plays an essential role in Arqiva’s global content delivery network.
David Crawford, Managing Director, Satellite and Media at Arqiva, said, “In addition to our continued commitment to provide services in the Asia-Pacific region, this lease extension with AsiaSat gives Arqiva and our customers true flexibility for future live events. Our on-going strategic partnership with AsiaSat reinforces our commitment to providing premium occasional use services in the market.”
Barrie Woolston, Chief Commercial Officer of AsiaSat said, “We are delighted to support Arqiva with an expanding range of high quality capacity, enabling Arqiva to enjoy great flexibility and efficiency for delivering the best possible content distribution solutions to their clients, alongside the benefits of AsiaSat satellites’ strong penetration in the Asian TV market.”
(Source: AsiaSat press release)
13 September 2017
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is appealing to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to resolve claims brought by the Azerbaijani government that have hampered its news reporting inside the country for almost three years.
“We have been unable to make any progress on clearing these charges through the Azerbaijani judicial system,” said RFE/RL President Thomas Kent. “The charges are baseless, and as Azerbaijan is under the jurisdiction of the ECHR, we’ve decided to take our case there.”
RFE/RL’s Baku bureau was raided and shut down by state agents in December 2014 on charges, including two tax-related claims, the company has repeatedly said are bogus. While it has sought to challenge the tax case at all levels of the country’s judiciary (other charges were overturned in 2016), the Supreme Court ruled to suspend further review until what authorities say is a parallel, criminal investigation is complete. RFE/RL lawyers have questioned the validity of the criminal investigation, which began with the raid and has dragged on despite a requirement under Azerbaijani law that it be completed by the end of 2016. It has produced no charges or report.
Says Kent, “We can only conclude that this so-called investigation is an exercise in obfuscation. It has produced no evidence of wrongdoing, but it has kept our Baku bureau in legal limbo and created a threatening atmosphere for our journalists.”
RFE/RL’s appeal to the ECHR, filed in June, cites Articles 6.1 and 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Azerbaijan is a signatory, which provide for the right to a fair trial within a reasonable amount of time and the right to an effective remedy.
In addition to seeking remedy through the courts, RFE/RL has repeatedly appealed to Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general to resolve the status of its Baku bureau. Most recently, in a letter this past August, RFE/RL requested an update on the criminal investigation; the return of company stamps, seals, and documents that were seized during the 2014 raid and are needed if the bureau is to be reopened; and the release of bureau bank accounts that were frozen, with funds totaling more than $70,000. Authorities have acknowledged receipt of the letter but have issued no reply.
Separately, RFE/RL has filed locally to appeal a court-approved blockage of the Azerbaijani Service’s website for “posing a threat” to the country’s national security and for publishing “extremist content.” The ban has been in effect since March. No court date has yet been set.
RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service, known locally as Radio Azadliq, is an indispensable source of independent news in the country, actively publishing text, audio, and video content on the web, via satellite, and on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and other digital platforms.
(Source: RFE/RL press release)
12 September 2017
CEO John F. Lansing issued the following statement on the closing of RFA’s Phnom Penh Bureau:
“In recent days, the intimidation campaign by Cambodia’s government against free speech has intensified. As a result, and out of concern for the security and safety of its journalists, Radio Free Asia (RFA) has made the difficult decision to suspend operations of its news bureau in Phnom Penh.”
“In this interconnected age of borderless news and information, the Broadcasting Board of Governors is committed to achieving our mission of informing, engaging, and connecting people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. There has never been a more important time to hold governments accountable for treating press freedom as a human right and a universal priority. The Cambodian government’s actions have only strengthened our resolve to continue to respond to threats and harassment with accurate, factual reporting, analysis, and other vital information.”
“We condemn this crackdown and again call on the Cambodian authorities to permit journalists to do their important work in safe, unfettered conditions; and to allow the programs of BBG networks back onto FM stations in the country.”
“We salute the dedication and determination of the journalists of RFA, and independent media outlets in Cambodia who provide much-needed news and information to audiences eager for the truth.”
(Source: BBG press release)
12 September 2017
The Longlist for the 13th annual AIBs – the international awards for factual content, is announced today, Tuesday 12 September 2017
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Factual content from countries as diverse as Papua New Guinea, Denmark, the UK and Argentina
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18 distinct categories to reward factual video, audio and online productions
From the hundreds of entries, the Association for International Broadcasting’s shortlisting team has narrowed down the list of contenders across the 18 programme categories.
“This year’s range, breadth and depth of entries is astonishing,” says Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “The energy demonstrated by the programme producers around the world is astonishing. We have seen and heard remarkable stories told imaginatively and sensitively – despite many being truly difficult and disturbing subjects.”
“To illustrate the range of work entered, there are political stories from the USA, Philippines, North Korea and the Maldives,” says Clare Dance, the AIBs Co-ordinator. “Deeply moving personal stories have come from Korea, Japan, the UK and Denmark. And then there’s news coverage of the major events of the past year.”
The international spread of entries is reinforced this year, with work from almost 40 countries submitted. Work has been submitted for the first time from Italy and Papua New Guinea, while increased numbers of productions have come from Europe, North and South America, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.
Inclusion on the AIBs 2017 Longlist indicates that the production is among the world’s best factual content produced for television, radio or online platforms.
International judges
The AIBs 2017 Shortlist will be announced on 22 September as the panel of 55 jurors in more than 20 countries starts work on the final judging of entries.
The 2017 winners will be announced at a gala evening at LSO St Luke’s in London on 1 November, hosted by Matthew Amroliwala (pictured left) presenter and journalist at BBC Global News.
The leading awards for quality factual productions
First awarded in 2005, the AIBs are recognised as one of the leading prizes for factual productions in any language. The list of winners includes the world’s leading broadcasters and production companies, and notable personalities including Sir David Attenborough, Larry King and Christiane Amanpour.
See the Longlist here
