ABCID launches international media networking platform

13 August 2025

ABCID launches international media networking platform

The Indo-Pacific Media Network launches this week (11 August 2025), linking “alumni” from ABC International Development (ABCID) programs and creating a dynamic way for journalists and media professionals in Asia and the Pacific to exchange ideas, build relationships and identify career development opportunities.

The Network will operate via a newly created private Facebook Group and is open to anyone who has participated in ABCID programs.

ABCID Manager Jo Elsom said, “We are building a cross-border community to harness the unlimited potential of approximately 6,000 media professionals across 23 countries in the Indo-Pacific region who have been part of ABCID programs since 2020.

“This will be a dedicated space for ongoing learning and professional development, where media professionals who are passionate about serving their communities and the public interest can lean on each other to navigate industry challenges such as information integrity, skills development, business sustainability, artificial intelligence and mis- and disinformation.”

ABCID will manage the network, developed in consultation with media from 10 countries in Asia and the Pacific. ABCID supports leaders, journalists, content makers, broadcast technicians and media organisations working in news, sport, content production, behaviour change communications and media sector development.

Learn more about how to join the Indo-Pacific Media Network here.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in August: The Pursuit of Peace

4 August 2025

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in August: The Pursuit of Peace

The Pursuit of Peach – Searching for Answers

Animation Documentary Iwata’s Grandma August 1 Fri. 1:30/6:30/12:30/17:30/22:30 (UTC) August 5 Tue. 19:00 (UTC) Why does Iwata’s Grandma refuse to be in photos? This animation documentary is based on a picture book about the atomic bomb tragedy but conveys kindness and hope rather than fear and anxiety.
Documentary 360 KAMIKAZE: An Untold History August 9 Sat. Ep.1 August 10 Sun. Ep.2 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) On the Pacific front towards the end of World War II, Japan’s imperial armed forces launched “kamikaze” attacks, or suicide missions by aircrafts laden with bombs. It was a mad operation with no hope of returning alive. But the nation went wild, and the attacks continued for ten months, literally until the very last day of war. About 4,000 crew lost their lives. How could this happen? Utilizing 15 years-worth of extensive interviews with both US and Japanese former military personnel as well as experts, combined with a detailed “hometown map” created from the data of each and every life lost, and the latest analysis of archival footage and documents, the program delves into the mechanism of how a crazed madness swept through an entire nation.
BOSAI: Science that Can Save Your Life Saturdays 5:40/11:40/17:40/22:40 (UTC) Mondays 1:15 (UTC) Tuesdays 8:45 (UTC) Japan has a long history of natural disasters. BOSAI explores how to overcome them and save lives with the power of science.

MBC GROUP joins forces with Netflix

28 July 2025

MBC GROUP joins forces with Netflix

MBC GROUP, the largest and leading media organisation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announces a groundbreaking new regional partnership with Netflix, one of the world’s leading entertainment services.

This first-of-this-kind partnership for Netflix in the Middle East and North Africa will give customers of MBCNOW – the recently launched entertainment service aggregator by MBC GROUP – seamless access to the full Netflix service. The newly created bundle will combine Netflix alongside Shahid, the world’s Arabic streaming platform, in addition to Linear TV channels, in one simple subscription.

This exciting new offering – bringing together two streaming giants under one roof – has never been seen before in MENA and promises to cater to the varied viewing preferences of families from the GCC, wider Arab world, and beyond. Featuring an extensive variety of content, including critically acclaimed series, documentaries, films, and more, there’s something for everyone this season with MBCNOW.

Fadel Zahreddine, Group Director of Emerging Media at MBC GROUP, commented: “This groundbreaking partnership is one for the books. To have two streaming giants – Shahid and Netflix – come together under one platform is something never seen before in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and wider MENA, and we’re very excited for what’s to come.”

“We’re thrilled to have MBC GROUP join forces with Netflix to bring its content to our audiences under the convenience of a single subscription. This collaboration is part of our ongoing commitment to provide unparalleled global and local experiences for our audiences in the region. This is definitely the future of streaming and content consumption.” added Bhanu Chaddha, Director of Distribution and TV Products at MBC GROUP.”

On his part, Mohammed Al Kuraishi, Head of Business Development and Partnerships, Middle East and Africa at Netflix said. “We are delighted to partner with MBC GROUP to bring our members in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the region easy access to our service and an incredible variety of international and Arabic shows, movies, documentaries, kids content, stand-ups, Live- events, and games. This partnership brings unparalleled entertainment offering to our members and puts them at the heart of the entertainment experience.”

Launched February 2025, MBCNOW offers an unmatched approach to content consumption for Saudi and wider Arab audiences. Transcending traditional TV viewing, MBCNOW has been designed to seamlessly bridge the gap between digital streaming and traditional broadcast television – bringing together MBC’s award-winning channels, as well as Shahid, all in one destination.

With the new Netflix agreement, MBC GROUP brings forward a distinctive bundle through MBCBNOW:

Shahid + Netflix Pack: Combines the best of Arabic and international content, featuring Shahid’s vast library of award-winning Arabic TV shows, films, and documentaries, along with Netflix’s full catalogue. This bundle features a saving of more than or 21% compared to individual subscriptions.

Now available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across all major retailers and eCommerce stores, MBCNOW is the go-to hub for all entertainment needs. For more information on MBCNOW’s offers, options, and availability, as well as its brand-new bundle with Shahid and Netflix, please visit: mbc-now.net.

[Source: MBC press release]

Joint statement on Gaza from AFP, AP, BBC News and Reuters

24 July 2025

Joint statement on Gaza from AFP, AP, BBC News and Reuters

“We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families. For many months, these independent journalists have been the world’s eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.

“Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in warzones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them.

“We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza. It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there.”

US District Court Orders USAGM to Pay RFE/RL for Rest of Fiscal Year

19 July 2025

US District Court Orders USAGM to Pay RFE/RL for Rest of Fiscal Year

Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has granted Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)’s request for a preliminary injunction in its lawsuit against the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

In his ruling, the judge ordered USAGM to timely disburse RFE/RL’s remaining congressionally appropriated funds for fiscal year 2025, concluding that the agency’s conditioning of funds on the imposition of onerous new grant terms and failure to engage in good-faith negotiations with RFE/RL violate the law.

Judge Lamberth wrote: “As far as this Court is aware, it is unprecedented for an agency to demand that entirely new terms govern its decades-old working relationship with a grantee entity and then stop responding, particularly when the agency is statutorily obligated to grant yearly congressional appropriations to that specific entity by name.” The Court stated that “USAGM’s flagrant disregard for its funding responsibilities” has caused RFE/RL to suffer “mass furloughs, cancelation of programming, and inevitable damage to the global influence that RFE/RL has built over decades.”

President and CEO Stephen Capus said:

“Today’s ruling by the Court is the culmination of relentless legal efforts to compel USAGM to release the funding necessary to carry out RFE/RL’s vital mission. Time and again, the Court has ruled in our favor on the basic issue of the release of our congressionally appropriated funds.

This victory provides our journalists with the momentum necessary to continue reaching the nearly 47 million people each week who rely on our journalism for the facts and to counter malicious propaganda from authoritarian governments. Now more than ever, we cannot cede the information space to tyrants.

With this ruling, RFE/RL can continue to advance U.S. national security interests.”

Prof. Mehmet Zahid Sobacı Reappointed as the Director General of TRT

16 July 2025

Prof. Mehmet Zahid Sobacı Reappointed as the Director General of TRT

Prof. Mehmet Zahid Sobacı has been reappointed as the Director General of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), a role he has held since July 2021. Following his reappointment, Prof. Sobacı stated, “As we have done over the past four years, we will continue to work to advance our accomplishments in this new term.”

Before taking up his position at Türkiye’s public service broadcaster, Prof. Sobacı served for three years as Deputy Head of the Directorate of Communications at the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye. Additionally, he chaired the Board of Directors of the Press Advertising Agency between 2019 and 2021.

A prominent member of the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB), TRT is also a member of various international broadcasting organizations such as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), the Mediterranean Center for Audiovisual Communication (CMCA), the Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators (COPEAM), Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), where Sobacı is the president since 2023.