24 May 2017
The Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) launched the Maghreb Voices website to inform and engage with the people of the Maghreb region in North Africa. The website targets nearly 100 million people and focuses on issues that resonate with them, such as countering ISIS, the rights of women, human rights, corruption, human trafficking, slavery, minorities’ rights and illegal immigration.
“Maghreb Voices will provide its audience an unmatched opportunity to participate in important discussions and share their ideas, issues and concerns openly and freely,” stated Brian Conniff, President of MBN (pictured right). MBN manages and oversees Maghreb Voices. “Maghreb Voices will meet the tremendous need for an uncensored interactive platform in this underserved part of the world.”
The launch of Maghreb Voices comes after the success of Raise Your Voice-Iraq, which communicates with Iraqis about the future of their country. Similarly, engagement is Maghreb Voices main feature, using Community Managers to facilitate dialogue and interact with its audience. It goes to the streets of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania to interview ordinary citizens and get their views on important topics that matter to them. The website also covers the news of the Maghreb community in the United States, Netherlands, France and Spain.
Maghreb Voices also utilises social media properties to facilitate the two-way conversation. It provides a 24/7 discussion forum for all voices on topics of concern through Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and WhatsApp.
There are several unique sections to Maghreb Voices. One of them is dedicated to defectors’ stories. This section includes interviews and first-hand accounts of people who joined and then left extremist groups such as ISIS after they became disillusioned. Another section of the website invites readers to ask any question they have about the U.S., to be answered by the Maghreb Voices staff, or outside experts. Audiences will also find video content, polls, question of the day, citizen journalist content and articles.
Maghreb Voices incorporates VOA’s Learning English into its website, so that its audience will have access to their videos and English language tools. More information about Maghreb Voices can be found on its website and Facebook page.
Maghreb Voices is operated by the non-profit corporation (MBN). MBN is financed by the U.S. Government through a grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an independent federal agency. The BBG serves as a firewall to protect the professional independence and integrity of the journalists.
(Source: MBN press release)
23 May 2017
Arabsat announced the launch of Euronews new frequency on its wide coverage satellite BADR-4, to join other tier-1 regional & international news channels run on Arabsat BADR-4 News frequency 11996 MHz. Euronews’ original frequency will remain active till the end of May 2017, while Arabsat viewers are informed about the change via Arabsat’s linear and non-linear media distribution network.
“We are delighted with our long partnership with Euronews, one of the most viewed news channels in Europe and look forward to continue to offer their uniquely rich and varied news streams through Arabsat BADR-4 News frequency 11 996 MHz,” says Khalid Balkheyour, Arabsat President & CEO. “This move supports our content strategy to deliver specialized video frequencies reflecting market demand to Arabsat audiences across the MENA & Europe and ensuring the best Free-To-Air viewing experience at home.”
“Arabsat is a long-standing partner for Euronews and we warmly thank all the team that supported the launch of the Euronews English frequency to cover this key region.” says Michael Peters, Euronews CEO (pictured).
“With Arabsat we are guaranteed to reach a wide audience which is, in common with our consumers across EMEA, composed of curious and open-minded leaders, interested by our unique positioning. In addition to providing an expert coverage on European news, our multicultural team of 30 nationalities is also our strength. Indeed, Euronews’ journalists are the best qualified to share and analyse the diverse opinions on global events, rather than imposing a unilateral perspective as so often happens in the current news landscape. In a world of infobesity and polarized opinion, this is the uniqueness of Euronews that I’m sure will meet the interests of the Arabsat audience.”
About Arabsat Euronews new frequency:
Satellite: Arabsat BADR-4 @ 26° East
Coverage: MENA & Europe
Frequency: 11996 MHz
Polarity: Horizontal
Symbol Rate: 27500
FEC: 3/4
Transmission: DVB-S
Modulation: QPSK
Neighbouring News channels: France 24 Arabic, France 24 English, France 24 French, DW Arabia, BBC Arabic, CNBC Arabia, Sky News Arabia, Africa 24 & RTI.
(Source: Euronews + Arabsat press release)
23 May 2017
Germany’s international broadcaster DW demanded the immediate release of its correspondent Antediteste Niragira, arrested by members of the Congolese intelligence service (ANR) while reporting on Burundian refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo .
In a statement issued on 21 May, DW said Congolese authorities were refusing to provide further information on accusations of espionage against Niragira.
‘Baseless accusations’
“The accusation that our correspondent is a spy is outrageous and baseless,” said DW spokesman Christoph Jumpelt. “We demand that the authorities in the DR Congo release Antediteste Niragira immediately and provide for his safe return to Burundi.”
Niragira had been preparing to file a report on Burundian refugees living in desolate conditions in a camp near the town of Kavimvira when he was arrested by ANR members and transferred to a prison in Uvira.
A lawyer commissioned by DW has been able to establish that Niragira has not been physically harmed.
Update – 23 May
Since news of his disappearance came through, DW has been working through all available channels to secure his release. On Tuesday 23 May, it was announced that Antediteste had been released and had returned to Burundi.
22 May 2017
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), operator of the world’s first Globalized Network and leader in integrated satellite communications, announced that Globecast signed a multi-year agreement with the company to distribute the English version of TRT World in high definition format to cable outlets in Asia and the Americas via the Intelsat 20 and Intelsat 21 satellites using IntelsatOne® terrestrial fiber and teleport services.
Globecast is expanding its longstanding relationship with Intelsat to distribute TRT World content to Asia and Latin America on Intelsat’s highly penetrated video neighborhoods. Intelsat 20, located at 68.5 East degrees, is the leading distribution and Direct-to-Home distribution platform serving Africa and the Indian Ocean region. Intelsat 21, located at 302 degrees East, is one of four satellites comprising Intelsat’s powerful video neighborhoods serving the Latin America region.
“It is our goal to provide our customers with efficient distribution into new growth markets around the world. Intelsat’s globalized network, and its highly penetrated video neighborhoods, provide maximum viewers for our content owners,” said Philippe Bernard, CEO at Globecast.
Deputy Director General of TRT Ibrahim Eren stated that it is important for TRT World to be available on Intelsat 20 and 21. “Intelsat is renowned for its advanced fleet of satellites and overall expertise in the business. Through their help, coupled with sophisticated technology from Globecast, we’re delighted to expand TRT World to millions of viewers across the Americas and Asia.”
“A valued partner, Globecast’s relationship with Intelsat spans many years and many continents,” said Rhys Morgan, Intelsat’s Managing Director, Europe. “We continue to invest in our media neighborhoods to ensure that we can support the growth of customers, such as Globecast and TRT World, who distribute new high definition programming around the world. We welcome TRT World to the Intelsat network and the nearly 5,000 channels we deliver globally.”
Supporting Resources:
(Source: Intelsat press release)
15 May 2017
The ransomware attack that was unleashed on to computers in over 100 countries on Friday 12 May demonstrated just how important it is for media companies to take the issue of cyber security seriously.
Companies and organisations as diverse as Britain’s National Health Service, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn rail network (pictured left), Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica and car manufacturers including Nissan and Renault, each suffered from the consequences of this immense cyber attack. The Association for International Broadcasting’s own Cyber Security Working Group is actively collating data on any impact there has been on media companies from this attack.
On Friday evening, the AIB’s Twitter feed (right) linked to a map of incidents traced around the world produced by a UK-based IT expert going under the name of Malwaretechblog. This 22-year-old was subsequently reported to have discovered the “kill switch” for the ransomware, bringing much of the attack to a halt (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39907049).
“The Association for International Broadcasting has been actively working on the issue of cyber security with its Members,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB. “Since the attacks on Sony and TV5 Monde, the AIB has been bringing its Members together to share information and intelligence and to explore how to encourage the entire media industry to work together, and with suppliers, to combat the threat of attack. We have been telling media companies that the issue of cyber security is one of their major governance challenges. It requires board level discussion and for a board member to take responsibility for the issue as this is not simply an IT issue. It goes to the heart of a company’s responsibility to protect itself and its employees, and to ensure that it can continue to operate in a worst case scenario. The AIB is there to support its Members on this crucial, mission-critical issue.”
As part of the AIB’s work on cyber security, the Association is pressing home the need to take the entire security issue seriously at the highest levels in all organisations. In April 2015, the AIB published advice to its Members in a briefing document that remains relevant today. AIB Members can request a copy from the Secretariat.
In October 2015, the AIB worked with Deloitte to deliver a high-level confidential briefing event on the issues of cyber security. The one-day conference brought together representatives of many AIB Members, as well as key players in cyber security including Britain’s GCHQ that has responsibility for the nation’s cyber security (now separated into the National Cyber Security Centre). At that event, high-level GCHQ speakers noted the need for governments to include media companies in national work on cyber security and their classification as critical national infrastructure.
Since then, the AIB’s cyber security working group has developed a work programme that aims to share information and intelligence among AIB Members while at the same time pressing suppliers to the industry to respond to broadcasters’ security needs and requirements. The chair of the working group, Denis Onuoha (CISO at UK transmission company Arqiva), has spoken at major broadcasting events including NAB to highlight the ever more urgent need for the entire media industry – broadcasters and suppliers – to respond to the constantly increasing number of threats that exist from both nation states and cyber criminals.
At the European Broadcasting Union’s International Broadcasting Assembly in Sofia on 18-19 May, the AIB will be presenting to a range of international broadcasters about the threat posed to their businesses from cyber attack. In June, the AIB will be meeting with national security agencies to develop collaborative links that benefit AIB Members in protecting their businesses against cyber attack.
“This is a piece of work that will continue to develop and grow over the coming months and years,” says Simon Spanswick. “The AIB is working hard on behalf of its Members to ensure that they can protect themselves, their brands and their reputations in a world where the threats from cyber criminals has never been more challenging. The media industry needs to stay one step ahead of those who work to wreck businesses and those who – knowingly or unknowingly – derail broadcasters from their missions to inform, educate and entertain.”
Advice from the UK National Cyber Security Centre on tackling this attack is here: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/ransomware-guidance-enterprise-administrators
14 May 2017
Arabsat workshop in cooperation with Algeria Telecom Satellite 15 + 16 May 2017
Arab Satellite Communications Organization – Arabsat – in coordination with Algeria Telecom Satellite (ATS) are holding a workshop in Algiers on 15 + 16 May 2017 where Arabsat will showcase its satellites’ latest capabilities and demonstrate how Arabsat can provide up to date technical solutions for satellite telecommunications & Internet services covering the entire Algerian territory. The workshop will be attended by figures and entities working in the satellite telecommunications sector in Algeria from both the public and the private sector.
Arabsat will showcase, in addition to its new satellite Badr – 7 , the capabilities of its new 6th generation satellites that include at present 4 satellites. Three of those are under manufacture and the 4th is still in the process of research and design. The first satellite is scheduled to be launched by the end of 2017, while the other two satellites will be launched in 2018 on Arabsat various orbital positions.
The Arabsat workshop includes various forums & seminars attended by international experts in the field of satellite telecommunications & Internet. The latest technology in the field of mobile Telecommunications will also be discussed in addition to Ka-band huge capacities coverage that meets the future demand of the market.
(Source: Arabsat press release)
