RNZ Pacific cyclone watch service is operating

18 December 2023

RNZ Pacific cyclone watch service is operating

RNZ Pacific has updated the on-air frequencies for its cyclone watch service for the 2023-2024 cyclone season.

The cyclone watch service was activated early this year due to tropical cyclone Lola which devastated parts of Vanuatu in October 2023.

Once cyclone alerts are issued, RNZ Pacific will broadcast hourly updates of these bulletins if necessary, and whenever the situation changes. These will be heard either just before the top of each hour or following news bulletins at the top of each hour.

The broadcaster says it will do its best to keep people informed of all-weather updates on-air and online, with the information supplied by the Fiji Meteorological Service and the New Zealand MetService.

In addition, RNZ can access weather bulletins from the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Tonga Meteorological Offices.

The Wellington-based broadcaster says that it will also strive to obtain damage reports from local authorities, non-governmental agencies active in the field and people affected by the weather events.

You can also follow RNZ on X – formerly Twitter – @RNZPacific and on @RNZPacific Facebook.

Image: Chief Ben Lovo and his family of Bongkil Village on Erromango, Vanuatu. He says shortwave broadcasts from RNZ Pacific’s cyclone watch service during Cyclone Pam allowed him to warn four villages.

Photo: RNZI/Koroi Hawkins

RNZ Pacific’s transmitter 1 replacement project underway

18 December 2023

RNZ Pacific’s transmitter 1 replacement project underway

Work has started to decommission RNZ Pacific‘s shortwave transmitter 1 at its site on New Zealand’s North Island.

This 100-kilo-watt transmitter was installed at Rangitaiki, Taupo in 1989.

In 2022, RNZ received funding to construct a new transmitter for RNZ Pacific, to ensure the service’s future.

Until the new transmitter project is completed, RNZ Pacific will continue to broadcast through its transmitter 2 at the Rangitaiki site.

The installation of the new Ampegon transmitter will begin in late January 2024.

RNZ Pacific has apologised for any inconvenience this transition may cause to our on-air listeners around the world. The broadcaster is aiming to minimise service disruptions to its on-air audiences, and partner stations in the Pacific region.

RNZ Pacific can still be heard via satellite, and its content will still be available to download or livestream through its website http://rnzi.com.

Image: RNZ’s Transmission Engineer Specialist, Stephen White, standing next to RNZ’s transmitter 1. Mr White is leading the project to decommission transmitter 1. Work to install the new transmitter will start in January 2024

Image courtesy: RNZ

France 24 presents: The 51% – Celebrating 10 years of gender equality

14 December 2023

France 24 presents: The 51% – Celebrating 10 years of gender equality

« The 51 Percent », a weekly show focusing on gender equality marks its 10^th anniversary with a special program in French, English, Arabic and Spanish, which airs on France 24 on Friday December 15^th.

On France 24 in English at 4.45pm*, France 24 in French at 4.15pm*, on France 24 in Arabic at 3.15pm* and on France 24 in Spanish at 12.45pm* on Saturday December 16^th. (Paris Time).

The four programs :The 51 Percent (En), ActuElles (Fr), هي الحدث (Ar) et Ellas Hoy (Es) will be devoted to the program’s 10^th anniversary. Presenters Annette Young (En), Laure Manent (Fr) Mayssaloun Nassar (Ar) and Angéla Gomez (Es) will take a look back at the major topics covered since the program’s launch in 2013 such as the fight for reproductive rights, political representation, ending violence against women and girls along with the consequences of the “#MeToo” movement.

Launched in 2013, “The 51 Percent”, France 24’s pioneering show focusing on gender equality, has broadcast many special editions from across the globe about those working hard to promote women’s rights.

As a global broadcaster, France Médias Monde is committed to the defense of women’s rights in French and 20 foreign languages on all five continents, through news items, reports, magazines, debates and interviews.

[Source: France 24 press release]

MBC GROUP announces ground-breaking cinematic milestone with “Sukkar”

14 December 2023

MBC GROUP announces ground-breaking cinematic milestone with “Sukkar”

MBC GROUP, the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, announces the extraordinary success of its first-ever Arabic-language musical production.

In a ground-breaking cinematic milestone within the MENA, “Sukkar” – starring the rising Khaleeji talent, Hala Al Turk in one of her biggest roles to date – has amassed over $2 million at the box office so far.

Since its theatrical debut in October 2023, “Sukkar” has enchanted audiences across the Arab world, creating a first-of-its-kind cinematic phenomenon that has never been witnessed before in the region.

Created by Heba Mishari Hamada and directed by Tamer Mahdy, “Sukkar” features a unique blend of original music, captivating storytelling, and family-friendly content that has resonated strongly with viewers, contributing to its remarkable box office performance.

MBC GROUP leads the film’s production, alongside Aroma Productions, which managed cinematic execution under the supervision of MBC STUDIOS.

Christina Wayne, Managing Director at MBC STUDIOS said: “The achievement of surpassing $2 million at the box office marks an impressive breakthrough for the region, particularly within the genre of musicals. ‘Sukkar’ is not only achieving tremendous success, but it is also setting a new standard for cinematic excellence, reaffirming the region’s appetite for diverse, high-quality, and culturally resonant storytelling.

“The ongoing success of ‘Sukkar’ reflects the sustained demand from Arab families who continue to head to theatres to watch the movie. This success will no doubt pave the way for future endeavours in the realm of musical filmmaking, showcasing the potential for original content and narratives that enchant our audiences.”

“Sukkar” follows the journey of Sukkar (played by Al Turk) and her friends who live in an orphanage, waking up every day with hopes of transforming their lives into something more meaningful and colourful. Despite their hopeful outlook, the orphanage’s manager, Ratiba, proves to be exceptionally mean, exacerbating the challenges that the children face in their pursuit of a better life.

Featuring 12 original songs, “Sukkar” draws inspiration from the famous epistolary novel, “Daddy-Long-Legs” by American writer Jean Webster. All original songs for “Sukkar” were penned by Heba Mashari Hamada, with the soundtrack composed by Ehab Abdel Wahed, arranged by Ahmed Tareq Yehya, and produced by Joy Music Production. The renowned Egyptian singer Ahmed Saad has lent his voice to the film.

Starring alongside Al Turk in “Sukkar” is a host of young talent from around the GCC and Middle East, including Yasmina El Abd, Hajar Mohamad, Wedema Ahmad, Maria Gomaa, Moataz Heshaam, Mohamad Al Harbi, Bafly Reymond Isaac, and twins Abdullah and Omar Khaled.

Also starring in the musical in the adult roles are the prominent actors Magda Zaki, Mohamed Tharwat, and Reham Al Shanawany.

The family-friendly film, currently still in cinemas, is distributed by Empire Entertainment.

[Source: MBC press release]

RFE/RL Condemns New Charges Against American Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia

13 December 2023

RFE/RL Condemns New Charges Against American Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia

On December 13, Russian investigators launched another criminal case against Alsu Kurmasheva, an American journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Tatar-Bashkir Service, who has been wrongfully detained in Kazan, Russia, since October 18.

Already facing false “foreign agent” charges, Kurmasheva is now accused of violating Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which effectively criminalizes reporting about Russia’s war on Ukraine. If convicted on both charges, Kurmasheva could face up to 15 years in prison.

“We strongly condemn Russian authorities’ apparent decision to bring additional charges against Alsu,” said RFE/RL acting President and Board Member Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin. “Journalism is not a crime. It is time for this cruel persecution to end. Alsu has already spent eight weeks unjustly detained and separated from her family.”

Kurmasheva lives in Prague, Czech Republic, with her husband and two young daughters. She traveled to Russia in May to care for her elderly, ailing mother. When she tried to return home in early June, authorities took her passports and prevented her from leaving. Since then, Russian investigators have launched three separate criminal cases against her.

[Source: RFE/RL press release]

BBC staff launch new company to serve audiences with BBC Indian language services

13 December 2023

BBC staff launch new company to serve audiences with BBC Indian language services

Four BBC staff members have announced plans to leave the organisation and form a new entity in India which will provide audiences with a breadth of services across India, as commissioned by the BBC.

The establishment of Collective Newsroom Private Limited ensures the BBC and Collective Newsroom can meet their shared commitment to Indian audiences and cover stories on India that matter to global audiences. It is in compliance with the Indian Foreign Direct Investment law.

Collective Newsroom has been established as an Indian company, wholly owned by Indian citizens, with four existing staff members leaving the BBC to lead Collective Newsroom. These senior leaders have a wealth of editorial and programme-making experience. The BBC will commission Collective Newsroom to produce its six Indian language services as well as Indian digital output and Indian YouTube channel in English for audiences globally.

The BBC has a long-held and deep-rooted place in India’s media landscape, having first launched the Hindi language service in 1940. Since then it has developed a range of BBC output, expanding the number of Indian language services and growing audience figures from decade-to-decade with its agenda-setting and high impact journalism.

Rupa Jha, Senior News Editor, BBC India, and founding shareholder of Collective Newsroom, says: “Audiences in India can be assured that the BBC’s Indian language services and unique range of quality output will inform, educate and entertain audiences across our diverse and highly engaged country under the agreement between the BBC and Collective Newsroom. We launch Collective Newsroom with big ambitions for audiences in India and beyond.”

Jonathan Munro, Deputy CEO, BBC News says: “The BBC’s presence in India is steeped in a rich history that has always put audiences first, so we warmly welcome the formation of Collective Newsroom which continues that progression. The BBC will get first class content from Collective Newsroom that will be rooted in India and in line with the editorial standards audiences expect from the BBC. We look forward to working with them.”

Liliane Landor, Senior Controller, BBC News International Services, says: “Two of the BBC’s critical strengths are its truly global output for audiences and our reputation as a trusted source of news. We are deeply committed to excellence in journalism for and from India, and this agreement ensures the continued production of independent, international and impartial journalism that the BBC News brand is renowned for in India and around the world.”

Activity for BBC Monitoring and the BBC’s English language newsgathering operation for global output will remain with the BBC.

The four staff members leaving the BBC to lead Collective Newsroom are; Rupa Jha, Mukesh Sharma, Sanjoy Majumder and Sara Hassan
The BBC provides content in six Indian languages (BBC News Hindi, BBC News Marathi, BBC News Gujarati, BBC News Punjabi, BBC News Tamil, BBC News Telugu) as well as in English, to 82 million people around the country on average each week
BBC News Hindi is the BBC’s language service with the largest audience and in 2023, across all platforms, its weekly reach figure grew 27% year-on-year
The BBC World Service reaches 318 million people on average every week globally and operates 42 different language services

Earlier in 2023 it looked as if a number of international TV news channels broadcast in India would have to close after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced a significant increase in the “net worth” of Indian companies holding downlink licences on behalf of global channels. After lobbying, this move was rescinded allowing the small-scale local licence holders to continue operating on behalf of international channels.