France 24 in English strengthens its presence in Singapore

16 February 2023

France 24 in English strengthens its presence in Singapore

The international news channel France 24 strengthens its presence in Singapore thanks to a new distribution agreement with the telecommunications operator StarHub. This agreement makes France 24 in English accessible to all StarHub subscribers (channel 724).

Already available via Singtel (channel 159), France 24 in English now reaches all Singaporean television households.

[Source: France 24 press release]

Mikhail Khodorkovsky speaks to Marc Perelman on France 24

14 February 2023

Mikhail Khodorkovsky speaks to Marc Perelman on France 24

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russian opponent in exile, speaks to Marc Perelman (pictured) today, Tuesday 14 February, at 11.15pm (Paris time).

You can watch the interview at https://www.france24.com/en/live

[Source: France 24 press release]

Christina Wayne joins MBC GROUP as MD of MBC STUDIOS

6 February 2023

Christina Wayne joins MBC GROUP as MD of MBC STUDIOS

MBC GROUP, the largest media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announces the appointment of Christina Wayne as Managing Director of MBC STUDIOS.

MBC STUDIOS is the in-house premium content production arm of MBC GROUP, a media conglomerate that operates more than 17 free-to-air satellite TV channels, two radio stations, and Shahid – the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform – amongst other offerings.

In her new role, Wayne will continue MBC STUDIOS’ ongoing work in expanding the reach of its content to audiences around the world, leveraging the continuous trend for non-English-language television content to reach more global markets.

She takes over the role from former managing director, Peter Smith, who is moving on to pursue other ventures. He will, however, remain as an advisor to MBC GROUP.

Sam Barnett, Group CEO of MBC GROUP, stated: “We’re incredibly excited to be welcoming Christina Wayne to the role of Managing Director at MBC STUDIOS. Christina brings with her a wealth of international expertise in content development and production where she has worked across a multitude of territories and languages, and led on the development of Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning series.

“We look forward to her building on the team’s successes as we continue to expand our horizons in international content even further.”

He continued: “Additionally, I would like to extend my gratitude to Peter Smith for his invaluable contributions to the growth of MBC STUDIOS during his four-year tenure, spearheading the production of numerous flagships, including ‘Rashash’, ‘Rise of the Witches’, and ‘Devil’s Promise’. Peter departs with a solid and successful team with an exciting slate of projects.”

Newly appointed Wayne commented: “I am absolutely delighted to join MBC GROUP and MBC STUDIOS and have heard great things about the incredible team Peter and the rest of MBC have built. This is a very exciting venture for me, and I cannot wait to get fully involved in one of the world’s most exciting territories for content production.”

CAREER BACKGROUND

Prior to joining MBC STUDIOS, Wayne was the Principal Creative Executive and Head of Canada and Australia for Amazon Studios, a role she held since September 2019, and where she oversaw creative on scripted series across more than 20 countries.

She also presided over local original workshops across all territories, with a focus on interconnected series and formats.

A member of the Writers’ Guild of America since 1997, Wayne – who began her career in entertainment as a screenwriter and director – has also held positions with Assembly Entertainment, Cineflix Studios, and AMC. As senior vice-president of scripted series and miniseries for AMC, she shepherded the development and production on award-winning series including “Mad Men”, “Breaking Bad”, and “Broken Trail”.

[Source: MBC press release]

RFE/RL Expands Broadcasts to Afghanistan Despite Taliban Ban

30 January 2023

RFE/RL Expands Broadcasts to Afghanistan Despite Taliban Ban

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) award-winning programming is now available 24 hours a day for millions of Afghan listeners who have come to rely on the broadcaster in the last two decades. Two months after the Taliban removed RFE/RL from AM and FM radio transmitters in Afghanistan, Azadi, as RFE/RL is known locally, is doubling its time on air providing Afghans with independent news in the Dari and Pashto languages. From 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time Azadi is broadcasting on mediumwave on 1296 kHz, while during the second half of the day programming is available on shortwave.

This broadcasting milestone comes on Azadi’s 21st anniversary, and further solidifies RFE/RL’s role as a true public broadcaster – the only non-governmental radio broadcaster available 24/7 in Afghanistan. In the last two decades Azadi has become a staple of everyday life. Afghans frequently referred to Azadi as their “national broadcaster,” and its mix of news and information is commonly heard in public settings in the country, from marketplaces to taxis.

“Our expanded programming for Afghan audiences is indicative of the resilience and creativity of our team and their dedication to continue to reach our audiences in Afghanistan in the face of extreme Taliban pressure,” said RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly. “Azadi will now be available for Afghans day and night to give them hope for a better future.”

Despite significant pressure from the Taliban, RFE/RL continues to provide bold coverage of stories suppressed by state media. Azadi has given a platform for the most vulnerable – women and girls, victims of violent extremism, the LGBTQI+ community, and youth — to share their experiences. At every step, Azadi has responded to the Taliban’s restrictive governance: when the Taliban forbade music, Azadi continued to play music on air; when the Taliban banned women from public life, Azadi gave women space to tell their stories; when the Taliban barred girls from attending school, Azadi and Learn Afghanistan provided a rigorous curriculum over the radio. For 21 years, Azadi has helped the powerless find community and hope.

In contrast to official Taliban claims, Afghans have again and again expressed their appreciation and gratitude to RFE/RL for providing a vital public service. RFE/RL will continue to find new and innovative ways to reach audiences.

Afghanistan is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, and RFE/RL journalists have paid the ultimate price for their commitment to a free press. In 2018, three Radio Azadi journalists — Maharram Durrani, Abadullah Hananzai, and Sabawoon Kakar — were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul. In 2020, Mohammad Ilyas Dayee was killed in a targeted bomb attack.

[Source: RFE/RL press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s focus in February is Shimane

30 January 2023

NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s focus in February is Shimane

NHK WORLD February programme focus: Shimane

BENTO EXPO Shimane Special February 3 Fri. 1:30/6:30/12:30/17:30/22:30 (UTC) We look at box-lunches made by non-Japanese working at factories, farms, and universities in Shimane Prefecture. We also see how to make a bento with delectable local crab meat, and there’s a recipe featuring canned crab you can enjoy making wherever you are.
NHK Documentary Tamahagane: Miracle Steel of Japanese Swords February 11 Sat. 15:10/22:10/5:10/10:10 (UTC) Tamahagane, a special steel created over an intense 72-hour period, is required for Japanese swords. The pandemic meant there was only one, problem-laden, production run in 2022. Watch Japanese craftsmanship at its finest as the team struggles with the challenge.
Journeys in Japan Izumo: The Heart of the Japanese Spirit February 21 Tue. 0:30/5:30/10:30/15:30/21:30 (UTC) In Journeys in Japan, a Chilean artist visits Shimane Prefecture see rice-straw rope being made to festoon a particularly sacred shrine. The Izumo Grand Shrine is said to be the destination for an annual gathering of all of Japan’s deities.
Why I’m at War February 25 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) Volodymyr Demchenko has been deeply involved in the defense of his Ukrainian homeland in the years since the street protests of the 2014 Maidan Revolution. He has recorded a great deal of his part in this effort to defend Ukraine and sent dispatches around the world. His video diary of more than 500 hours offers a raw, up-close account of a kind not seen elsewhere and provides a glimpse of a nation’s harrowing experience of conflict.
Dining with the Chef Tuesdays 1:30/6:30/12:30/17:30/22:30 (UTC) Traditional techniques and resourceful recipes! Chefs Saito and Rika, present their unique approaches to cooking delicious Japanese food.
CYCLE AROUND JAPAN Saturdays 2:10/9:10/17:10/21:10 (UTC) Come ride with us! Bicycle through the scenery of Japan, stay with locals and discover hidden traditions in a Japan you didn’t know existed.