BBC launches emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran

6 March 2026

BBC launches emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran

BBC World Service has launched a temporary emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran in response to the ongoing turmoil in the country, and the unprecedented crackdown on protests.

To complement the existing BBC News Persian video and digital services, the radio programme will be available on medium wave and shortwave across Iran to increase the population’s access to news and information. To broaden its offer and availability of programming, the BBC World Service has also made some of its TV content available on medium wave radio.

Since 8 January, the Iranian people have been subject to an internet blackout. Prior to this, BBC News Persian’s digital services saw their biggest reach in a year with their platforms reaching more than 33 million people.

The short-term programme will cover the latest news and developments in Iran and will place events inside the country within their wider regional and international context. It will feature voices from inside Iran alongside clear, informed analysis of the most recent political, social, and economic developments shaping the situation in the country.

The programme will air daily for 30 minutes across medium and shortwave frequencies from 4.30pm GMT / 8pm Iran Standard Time. The temporary programme has been granted resource from existing funds until the end of March 2026.

Fiona Crack, Interim Global Director, BBC News, says: “A key role of the BBC World Service is to step up in times of crisis to provide news and information for our audiences in greatest need. BBC News Persian reaches one in four adults in Iran, which is an astonishing feat considering their reporting is banned in the country.

“The team have been essential in telling the urgent story of the Iranian people to audiences around the world, and our new radio programme will give the Iranian people more ways to access independent and impartial news.”

Tarik Kafala, Interim Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa, says: “BBC News Persian have worked tirelessly to deliver journalism throughout this period of unrest as the demand for trusted news has soared in Iran. The teams have supplied extended TV hours in Iran and an increased offer on digital platforms for the Iranian people. They have reported for UK audiences across bulletins, live pages and on forensic journalism with BBC Verify.”

BBC World Service has a history of launching emergency services in times of crisis. In April 2025, BBC News Burmese started providing audio and video content on a satellite channel in the aftermath of Myanmar earthquake.

In December 2024, following the fall of the Assad regime, BBC World Service set up an enhanced audio channel on FM and medium wave for the people of Syria. This follows the emergency radio service for Gaza in November 2023 and for Sudan in May 2023 amid conflict.

In February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country.

Where to find the programme:

The live programme will be available at 4.30pm GMT (8pm Iran Time) on 702kHz medium wave and 9465kHz short wave
The programme will be repeated at 6pm GMT (9.30pm Iran time) on 702kHz mediumwave and 5935kHz shortwave
A visualised version of the programme will be broadcast on BBC Persian TV at 6pm GMT (9.30pm Iran time)

ABC Radio Australia launches on DAB+

4 March 2026

ABC Radio Australia launches on DAB+

ABC Radio Australia is now available on DAB+ digital radio in Australia, making it easier than ever for Pacific communities to connect with trusted news, music, sport and culture from home.

Listeners in Australian capital cities, the Gold Coast and Launceston can tune in to ABC Radio Australia on DAB+, bringing the ABC’s international Pacific and Timor-Leste broadcast service to digital radio for the first time in Australia.

ABC Radio Australia offers 24-hour programming including Pacific-focused news and current affairs, music, sport and cultural storytelling. The service has long been available internationally, and via the ABC Pacific website and ABC listen app, and its arrival on DAB+ expands access for audiences across Australia.

The service showcases Pacific voices and perspectives, with content reflecting life, culture and conversations from countries including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Northern Pacific, alongside stories about Pacific communities living in Australia.

ABC Director Audio Ben Latimer said the launch was about meeting audiences where they are and deepening connections with Pacific communities. “ABC Radio Australia plays a vital role in reflecting Pacific voices and experiences and connecting communities across our region.

“Making the service available on DAB+ expands access even further, helping more people engage with trusted Pacific news, culture and storytelling – in the car, at home, and in everyday life.”

Head of ABC International Claire Gorman said, “With support from the Australian government, ABC Radio Australia has doubled its broadcast footprint in the Pacific in recent years, and tripled its unique content, bringing the best news, sport, music and culture to Pacific audiences.

“It is only fitting that this is now easily available to Australian audiences on DAB+, so they can learn and engage more with the diverse and important Pacific region.”

Listeners can find ABC Radio Australia by scanning for DAB+ stations on their digital radio, alongside other ABC networks DAB+ networks ABC Jazz, ABC Country, Double J, ABC Sport, triple j Unearthed and ABC Kids listen.

Information about DAB+ including availability and tuning instructions can be found on the ABC’s Help page.

ABC Radio Australia is also available on ABC listen.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in March: Phones for Heart-to-Heart Connections

3 March 2026

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in March: Phones for Heart-to-Heart Connections

Blowing in the Wind

The Wind Phone: From Japan to the World March 10 Tue. 18:30 (UTC Originating in Japan, the phenomenon of wind phones has now spread worldwide. These special phones, which aren’t connected to a telephone line, have the power to connect people with lost loved ones.
Fact-Checking America Inside PolitiFact March 14 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) As claims of “fake news” spread, PolitiFact, one of the most respected fact-checkers in the U.S., examines statements coming out of Washington, offering an inside look at journalism in search of truth.
Documentary 360 Regular programme NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s flagship documentary series offers must-see episodes on politics, the economy, social trends, science and the environment in Japan and beyond.

BBC News Uzbek launches on TikTok

3 March 2026

BBC News Uzbek launches on TikTok

BBC News Uzbek (BBC News O‘zbek) has expanded its social-media reach with the launch of its channel on TikTok where the @bbcnewsuzbek feed now brings videos to Uzbek-speakers – in Uzbekistan, Central Asia and beyond.

The BBC News Uzbek newly launched TikTok channel adds to the service’s social-media presence: on YouTube (more than 2 million subscribers), Instagram, Facebook (with separate feeds for audiences in Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and elsewhere, using different scripts), X, Telegram, WhatsApp, and the Russian network OK.ru.

Across its digital platforms, BBC News Uzbek reaches a weekly audience of 1.67 million people – an increase of 37% since the year before. The launch of the @bbcnewsuzbek feed on TikTok builds on the success of the service’s presence on Instagram where around 800,000 people engage with its content every week.

BBC News Uzbek News Editor, Khayrullo Fayz describes the launch on TikTok as a natural next step in better serving younger audiences: “We have always prioritised meaningful conversations, producing unique and original journalism that serves our audiences in Uzbekistan and the wider region. TikTok is another platform through which we can deliver our offer to younger generations of Uzbek-speakers, wherever they are: reporting and explaining the news, listening to our audiences and asking questions, with them and for them, to understand the issues that matter, as well as tackling disinformation and misinformation with the BBC’s impartial and independent journalism.”

In addition to current news, the BBC News Uzbek feed on TikTok will bring content on subjects that are in demand with its audience, including health, education, and history.

BBC News Uzbek is part of the BBC World Service.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Radio begins shortwave for Iran

2 March 2026

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Radio begins shortwave for Iran

In light of recent developments in the situation in Iran, NHK has begun temporary shortwave transmissions of its Japanese language international radio service, NHK WORLD-JAPAN Radio. NHK’s mission as an international public service media has led to this initiative to provide essential information to Japanese nationals residing in or travelling in the region.

Following the attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, Internet connectivity and international telephone services in the region have become unstable resulting in limited access to information in Japanese. In response NHK has begun temporary shortwave transmissions of its Japanese language international radio service to provide essential information to Japanese nationals in the area the broadcast started at 11:30 AM Japan time (0230 GMT) on 1 March.

NHK normally broadcast six hours of shortwave programming every day to the Middle East. However, in view of the current situation the broadcast schedule has been expanded to provide a continuous 24-hour service. In addition to content from NHK Radio 1, the broadcasts will include safety and security information for those in the region.

For those in neighbouring countries or other areas where Internet access remains available NHK also provides Japanese language news on the NHK world Japan website, along with simultaneous and on demand streaming of its television and radio programmes.

The transmission schedule is:

Transmissions from the Yamata Transmitting Station (Japan)

The transmission schedule is:

Transmissions from the Yamata Transmitting Station (Japan)

Time (JST) Frequency

01:00–02:00	11915 kHz
02:00–04:00	11670 kHz
04:00–06:00	9665 kHz
06:00–08:00	11675 kHz
08:00–10:00	11660 kHz
10:00–14:00	17560 kHz
14:00–18:00	9700 kHz
18:00–22:00	9740 kHz
22:00–23:00	11685 kHz
23:00–01:00	9450 kHz

Transmissions from the France Relay Station (Issoudun)

Time (JST) Frequency

02:00–04:00	11800 kHz
12:00–14:00	6150 kHz

Japan Standard Time is nine hours ahead of GMT/UTC.

Budget cut weakens Germany’s international broadcaster DW

19 February 2026

Budget cut weakens Germany’s international broadcaster DW

Following the reduction in the federal subsidy for Deutsche Welle (DW) for 2026, the Broadcasting Council, the Administrative Board and the DW management team convened a special joint session to discuss a comprehensive package of measures to achieve the required savings of 21 million euros. Under the plan, the Greek service will be discontinued and the journalistic portfolio in other languages scaled back. The German-language journalistic offering will be merged with the German language courses. Numerous positions across the organization will be eliminated, and investment funds significantly reduced. In purely numerical terms, around 160 full-time positions are affected, although the final number may vary. There will be no layoffs.

Dr. Karl Jüsten, Broadcasting Council Chair: “DW must remain a strong voice for freedom, especially in restricted media markets such as Russia and Iran. To do that, it needs reliable, long-term funding. Due to the cuts, the broadcaster will have to expect significant losses in reach. This is particularly troubling, as Russia and China are investing heavily in their state-run propaganda outlets while the US withdrawal from international broadcasting is creating further gaps. By reducing funding to DW, both the German and European perspectives will be weakened internationally – and that at a time when Europe urgently needs new partners and allies. We especially regret the closing of the Greek service. For over 60 years, it strengthened German-Greek relations and made the German perspective visible in Greece. We did not take this decision lightly and it was not approved without dissenting voices. Unfortunately, the forced savings made this step unavoidable.”

Dr. Achim Dercks, Administrative Board Chair: “The current budget cuts at DW come just two years after they implemented a savings package of 20 million euros. This is in direct contradiction to the pledge made by the government in its coalition agreement to strengthen DW. Without restoring its funding in the 2027 Federal Budget, rising costs across nearly all areas threaten to lead to long-term damage to journalistic quality, technical infrastructure and reach. It is only with adequate funding that Deutsche Welle will be able to successfully make its contribution to free reporting and against disinformation.”

DW Director General Barbara Massing: “The savings made necessary by the cuts and the lack of compensation for collective wage increases are extremely painful. They weaken our competitiveness at a time when a strong German and European presence is becoming ever more important geopolitically. At the same time, we will continue to advance DW’s quality initiative and digital transformation, launched several years ago – albeit at a slower pace. DW is widely regarded as a trusted and independent source of information, both in censored markets and in countries where Germany is building strategic partnerships. Sustainable funding for the future is crucial if we are to fulfill our journalistic mandate in a highly competitive global information space. Now is the time for the government and parliament to set the necessary course together. I am sincerely grateful to the members of the Broadcasting Council and the Administrative Board for their support, which was clearly evident during the meeting.”

In the 2026 federal budget, the German government reduced its subsidy to DW by 10 million euros to 415 million euros. At the same time, the failure to offset moderate pay increases from the existing collective bargaining agreement will generate an additional 11 million euros in costs. As a result, DW is required to reduce spending by a total of 21 million euros. The savings will be implemented in a socially responsible manner and in accordance with DW’s strategic priorities. Multiple areas of the organization will be affected.

DW language services

DW’s Greek-language service will be discontinued. This service provided independent information to audiences in Greece, including during the military dictatorship. It served as an important channel of dialogue during the euro crisis, conveying German perspectives to the Greek public. Greece has long been a member of the European Union and is a stable democracy with a diverse media landscape, which is why DW must make cuts in this area.

DW’s German-language offering will be restructured: The journalistic offering DW German and DW Learn German will be merged, with the budget nearly halved. Independent journalism and integrated language-learning elements will be combined into a clearly defined overall product focused primarily on learners at higher language levels (from B1/B2). The new format is aimed at audiences outside the DACH region – Germany, Austria and Switzerland – including learners in pre-integration programs abroad who are seeking reliable information about living and working in Germany and Europe. The service is designed to combine journalistic relevance with practical guidance while strengthening language skills. People who speak German well enough to follow current affairs coverage in the language can access established German-language media brands and publishers online.

Changes to the journalistic portfolio

The budget for the language services ´Portuguese for Africa` and Dari/Pashto for Afghanistan will be reduced. The number of editions of the Spanish-language TV news will be reduced, while prime-time broadcasts will remain unchanged. Several programs will be discontinued: the Russian-language satire magazine Zapovednik (an external production), the arts and culture magazine Arts Unveiled, and the debate format Auf den Punkt in all language editions. Also ending are the science magazine Tomorrow Today in Portuguese (target country: Brazil), the environmental magazine Eco Africa in Portuguese, and the Europe-focused magazine Europeo in all seven language editions.

Infrastructure and Administration

More than one-third of the total savings will come from infrastructure and administrative areas, as well as from cost reductions achieved through the use of AI. Professional training programs and events are among the areas affected. Funding will also be cut for technical equipment, the further development of DW apps and building renovations. The expansion of new international correspondents’ offices will be slowed. Costs in production and distribution will also be further reduced.

[Source: DW press release]