27 October 2017
The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN) is delighted to announce Mr. Nart Bouran will be joining MBN as its new Senior Vice President for News, Programming and Transformation in early 2018. In this new role, Mr. Bouran will direct global programming operations for all MBN television, radio and digital properties. He will lead development and execution of MBN’s program strategy across all MBN platforms, including Alhurra, Alhurra Iraq, Radio Sawa, Raise Your Voice, Maghreb Voices, and new initiatives.
Mr. Bouran is a seasoned journalist with vast experience in Middle East media. Most recently, Mr. Bouran served as CEO and Head of News for Sky News Arabia, a leading 24-hour regional Arabic news channel that he built and developed since its launch in 2012. He has also served as Director of Television for the Reuters News Agency, Director General of the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation, and Director of News Centre for Abu Dhabi TV. A graduate of Syracuse University, Mr. Bouran began his career as a journalist in 1990, covering the first Gulf War from Baghdad just months into his first job.
MBN President Amb. Alberto Fernandez noted that “anyone who knows Middle East media knows that Nart Bouran is one of the very best in the industry and MBN is pleased to add him as a key part of MBN’s transformation in a strategic and extremely competitive part of the world.”
The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN) is the non-profit news organization that is financed by the U.S. Government through a grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an independent federal agency.
Through television, radio, and multiple online platforms, MBN provides an undistorted line of communication to engage with the people of the Middle East and deliver accurate and objective information about America, America’s policies and people. MBN presents in-depth discussions on issues that are often not fully addressed in the Arabic-language media, such as human rights and freedom of speech and religion.
(Source: MBN press release)
26 October 2017
Factual TV, radio and online programme producers from Australia, Qatar, the USA, Turkey, the UK and France are coming together to share knowledge and ideas at the second #iamabroadcaster The AIBs Masterclass in London on 2 November.
Finalists in the 13th AIBs – the annual international competition for factual productions – are taking time out of their schedules to meet colleagues and others with an interest in factual programme-making at the informal, interactive half-day event.
“We are privileged that each year, the world’s top producers share their work with the Association for International Broadcasting in our awards,” says Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB. “We are even more fortunate that many travel to London to share in our celebration of success at our gala awards event. We want to make sure that they get the best possible value from their trip and that’s why we’ve introduced the Masterclass. It’s a way of helping to share experiences and develop new concepts, and anyone is welcome to come to the Masterclass to learn and exchange ideas.”
This year’s Masterclass takes place on Thursday 2 November at the M by Montcalm, City Road, London EC1V 1JH. Panellists taking part come from TRT WORLD, AFP, Al Jazeera, the BBC, Blue Chalk Media, BFBS, Media Stockade, Brinkworth Films and Afshar Films.
The panellists will be discussing their work on investigative documentaries, human interest stories, and branded content, among other areas.
“The #iamabroadcaster Masterclass is a unique event,” says Spanswick. “Rarely do so many factual story-tellers from so many parts of the world come together to discuss their work with their peers and others who are perhaps interested in starting a career in factual television or radio. The Association for International Broadcasting is honoured to be hosting this event and helping to develop new relationships in the factual programme-making industry.”
There will also be a presentation from UK-headquartered Celebro Media about its innovative OB unit in a box.
The half-day Masterclass is free-to-attend for everyone who is taking part in the AIBs awards gala dinner on 1 November. There is a modest fee for others and a specially-reduced rate for those in full-time education.
Full details on the #iamabroadcaster The AIBs Masterclass are available online at http://theaibs.tv.
26 October 2017
The BBC has filed an urgent complaint to David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, on behalf of the staff of its BBC Persian service. The urgent complaint has also been sent to Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, who will on Wednesday during her statement to the UN raise her concerns about the harassment of BBC Persian staff and their families.
The appeal comes after the Iranian authorities initiated a criminal investigation into 152 BBC Persian staff, former staff, and contributors, for “conspiracy against national security” in Iran and abroad. A subsequent court order freezes the assets of BBC Persian staff, meaning they cannot inherit family assets and preventing them and their families from selling assets, like property or even cars, in Iran. This is a deprivation of human rights which is against the Iranian constitution.
This is the latest in a sustained campaign of harassment and persecution which is designed to pressure journalists against continuing their work for the BBC. The campaign includes cases of the arbitrary arrest and detention of BBC Persian staff’s families, the confiscation of passports and travel bans on family members leaving Iran to prevent them from seeing their relatives working for the BBC Persian Service, ongoing surveillance and harassment, and the spread of fake and defamatory news stories designed to undermine the reputation of BBC Persian staff and their families.
Tony Hall, Director General of the BBC, said:
“The Iranian government is conducting what appears to be a politically motivated investigation into 152 BBC Persian staff, former staff and contributors, accusing them of conspiracy against national security in Iran. This is an unprecedented collective punishment of journalists who are simply doing their jobs. This is not just a campaign against BBC Persian staff but against fundamental human rights, and the BBC calls on the government of Iran to end this legal action immediately.
“BBC Persian provides independent, fair, and impartial news to a huge number of people in Iran and beyond, thanks to the dedication and professionalism of its staff. I would like to pay tribute to them and their families for their resilience in the face of years of concerted intimidation from the Iranian authorities.
“The BBC, on behalf of its staff, will use all available legal avenues to challenge this order and we call on the international community to use their own influence in Iran to persuade the authorities that this completely unacceptable treatment must end.”
Since the disputed 2009 presidential elections – when the Iranian government accused foreign powers of interference – BBC staff and their parents, siblings and friends have suffered at the hands of the Iranian authorities. Examples include:
- The sister of a journalist was held in Evin prison for 17 days and forced to plead with the journalist via Skype to stop working for the BBC or spy on colleagues
- Many elderly parents have been interrogated, including being questioned late at night
- A child under ten years old was called in for questioning because of their relationship to a staff member
Many BBC Persian staff have not been able to visit their dying parents for fear of imprisonment or being prevented from leaving Iran. Reputations have been attacked in the press and on social media with false and defamatory allegations. Many staff have been subjected to fake news accusing them of sexual impropriety or sexual acts which are illegal in Iran, including those which attract the death penalty.
The BBC’s complaint to the UN cites numerous severe breaches of Iran’s obligations under various international treaties to which it is a signatory.
The Association for International Broadcasting has written to the Iranian Ambassador in London protesting about the attacks on BBC Persian staff.
24 October 2017
The November programme schedule from NHK WORLD TV includes the following highlights:
Kurara
The Dazzling Life of Hokusai’s Daughter
Part 1: Nov 4 Sat 23:10/ Sun 5:10/ 10:10/ 17:10 (UTC) 42 min.
Part 2: Nov 11 Sat 23:10/ Sun 5:10/ 10:10/ 17:10 (UTC) 40 min.
The first historical drama to be aired on NHK WORLD TV tells the story of the remarkable woman who shared the life of the world-famous artist, Hokusai. It was his daughter, O-Ei, a capable and prominent artist in her own right. She is believed to have worked together with her father on his pictures once he reached middle-age. Female artists were rarely recognized in 19th century Japan, but O-Ei continued to produce art despite financial and romantic problems.
Shoot for Appare!
ABU Asia-Pacific Robocon 2017 Tokyo
Nov 11 Sat 4:10/ 11:10/ 16:10/ 22:10 (UTC) 49 min.
Handmade robots from young engineers competed in this year’s “ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest” in Tokyo. NHK World takes you into the heart of the battle to be number one. In the past 15 contests, China and Vietnam have won five times each; Japan only twice. This year, the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the University of Tokyo attempted to bring the title back to Japan after four years. May the best robot win!
Home Sweet Tokyo
Nov 19, 26, Dec 3, 10 Sun 4:10/ 14:10/ 22:10 (UTC) 17 min. x 4 Episodes
An original comic drama, made especially for international viewers. Londoner Bryan Jenkins finds himself on the other side of the world when he and his family relocate to Japan. He puts aside his advertising career to accept the responsibilities of a stay-at-home dad. While his wife works in the city, he struggles to adapt to cultural differences: making Japanese-style school lunches for their daughter and trying to understand his stoic Japanese father-in-law. The series is directed by the widely celebrated Teruyuki Yoshida, the man behind many hit TV shows and movies.
Gata no Kuni Kara
Part 1: Nov 25 Sat 23:20/ Sun 5:20/ 10:20/ 17:20 (UTC) 39 min.
Part 2: Nov 26 Sun 0:10/ 6:10/ 11:10/ 18:10 (UTC) 27 min.
Popular Thai actor Thiti Mahayotaruk lends his talents to this two-part drama about a fictional Thai personality, a Japanese high school girl, and a magical fish. Mirai is the daughter of the owner of a famous hot spring resort in Saga prefecture, but she is more interested in her pet mudskipper than the hospitality business. Samut, the performer, sees her as a way to escape from the pressures of his career while on location. He wants freedom; she craves social media followers. Together, they overcome language differences and other obstacles to make their way toward the Ariake Sea and a resolution to their journey.
(Source: NHK WORLD TV release)
24 October 2017
The MENA Broadcast Satellite Anti-Piracy Coalition has celebrated the shutting down of 30 Arabic and western pirate TV channels since the summer in their latest meeting. Another 26 other channels have recently stopped violating copyrights.
The coalition’s 11th meeting in Amsterdam, attended by the region’s major broadcasters and satellite providers, hailed measures taken by members in the ongoing efforts against TV piracy between April and September 2017.
MBC Group CEO, Sam Barnett, said during the meeting: “With this latest series of actions, the satellite broadcast industry in the region has effectively cleansed itself of the piracy scourge that has been damaging us since 2012. This has only happened because of the effective collaboration of producers, broadcasters and satellite operators.” He continued, “Even last week we have heard news of Egyptian film producers signing new deals with legitimate TV stations – deals that previously would not have happened due to piracy. This is a big boost for the sector.”
The Coalition also reaffirmed its commitment to remain fully engaged in protecting content against illegal satellite distribution, and agreed to widen its focus to IPTV and OTT piracy.
Guillaume Forbin, OSN Head of Platform & Content Security, detailed the latest industry research showing IPTV piracy still growing heavily.
Sophie Moloney, OSN Chief Legal Officer, said: “This is another great achievement for the coalition. With the growing threat from illegal internet-based piracy threats and emerging methods for pirating content, the strength and unity of the MENA Broadcast Anti-Piracy Coalition in conjunction with collaborations with local authorities is increasingly important. OSN is grateful to Noorsat for their efforts in removing the pirated channels over the past months; we look forward to a long and sustainable partnership in the ongoing battle for content protection.”
Members of the Coalition also discussed the growing threat from illegal internet streaming and downloads, and agreed to work together in order to strengthen their relationship with authorities in his context.
Okke Delfos Visser, Head of the Legal Department of the MPA in Europe and the Middle East and Africa, stated that “we need to build on the great successes achieved by the coalition so far. We now need to solidify our efforts in tackling satellite piracy and open a new front into online, such as IPTV and illicit streaming device piracy.”
In a joint commitment, the Coalition members also agreed to collaborate and develop an online site-blocking IPTV strategy.
Etisalat Senior Manager for Mobile and Satellite Products, Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Jasmi, revealed the existence of an IP blocking tool in coordination with the authorities within the UAE and promised their full commitment towards the coalition.
Intellectual Property (IP) Specialist, Office of the U.S. IP Attaché for the Middle East and North Africa, Raed Al Hout participated in the meeting and shared that “we will continue coordinating with relevant IP enforcement agencies, including the U.S. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) in supporting the important work of the MENA Broadcast Satellite Anti-Piracy Coalition, and look forward to building upon our collaborative endeavors in future initiatives.”
The coalition was set up in 2014, bringing together major broadcast satellite providers, (Eutelsat, Arabsat, Nilesat, Noorsat, Gulfsat, Viewsat, STN and JMC) and content production, distribution companies and telecommunication (MBC, OSN, Rotana, ART, CNE, Du, Etisalat, Mediagates, My HD, Paramount, Rdatv, Sony pictures, Warner bros, Universal, WWE, Sound & light and cinema, International advertising association, Cedars art, Eagle films, Almassa art production, Egyptian Chamber of cinema industry, Media production city, Misr international films, Spot 2000, and the MPA) to fight the battle of piracy.
(Source: MBC press release)
18 October 2017
Arqiva, the international satellite and media services provider, has today announced a partnership with FOX Networks Group (FNG) Asia to deliver a 4K content stream of the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship – the first time FNG Asia has streamed 4K content to viewers across the region.
Arqiva will provide its streaming services for the remaining four races of the Formula One season – taking place in the US, Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi – having already delivered live 4K streaming of the Singapore, Malaysian and Japanese Grands Prix.
The partnership will see Arqiva utilise its fibre infrastructure to pick-up live 4K content from BSkyB, and take responsibility for transcoding and delivery into FNG Asia’s channel delivery network via a combination of traditional and cloud based services.
It is the latest project in a four-year relationship between Arqiva and FNG Asia, which has seen them working together on the delivery of content for channels in Singapore.
Chris Walder, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific at Arqiva, said: “We are thrilled to be working with a broadcaster like FNG Asia on a spectacle as prestigious as Formula One, and it is a fantastic reflection of Arqiva’s growing presence in the Asian market.
“FNG Asia shares our values in terms of providing the most efficient, stimulating viewing experiences to its customers, and we are looking forward to developing this relationship.”
Alex Pannell, Director of Media Services at Arqiva, added: “Arqiva’s managed IP streaming service leverages a combination of traditional services and cloud delivery mechanisms to provide the very best occupational and commercial proposition to our customers. It is for this reason that tier 1 global broadcasters and content owners, such as FNG Asia, are leveraging our media hub to deliver services to their audiences around the world.”
Jeroen Roeper, Vice President of Broadcast Technical Operations at FOX Networks Group Asia, said: “Having worked together with Arqiva for more than four years, we are confident in its ability to provide reliable, high quality services for our channels, no matter the requirement.
“FNG Asia has a growing base of customers who are passionate about sports and programming, so when the prospect of delivering our very first 4K stream for this year’s Grand Prix races arose, there was no question that Arqiva would be the right partner for the job. We’re excited to be extending our relationship with Arqiva into this new territory, bringing our viewers the live 4K Formula One coverage they deserve – and are incredibly pleased with the results so far.”
(Source: Arqiva press release)
