RFE/RL sanctioned by Government of Iran

12 December 2022

RFE/RL sanctioned by Government of Iran

Today, the government of Iran added RFE/RL’s Persian-language service, known locally as Radio Farda, to a list of individuals and organizations sanctioned for supporting international terrorism or inciting violence.

For over 12 weeks, Radio Farda has covered Iran’s historic demonstrations that began in the aftermath of Mahsa Amini’s death. Through deeply sourced investigative reporting, exclusive interviews with protesters’ families and friends, and verified user-generated content, RFE/RL journalists are documenting the truth about the regime’s victims — including their identities — despite the Iranian government’s ongoing campaign to deceive the public and intimidate minority communities.

“Today’s designation is an absurd manipulation of the truth, straight out of every authoritarian playbook,” said RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly. “The reality is that each day, the Iranian regime kills men, women, and children protesting for a better future, blames the victims, and abuses their families. Through it all, Radio Farda is trusted by sources and audiences alike to report on what is really happening.”

Despite significant state censorship, Radio Farda’s audience is growing. From the start of the protests on September 16 through November 30, Radio Farda’s video views increased 408% on YouTube and 619% on Instagram, compared to the same period last year. Social media growth has been driven by coverage that has gone viral. Radio Farda is also accessible in Iran via shortwave radio, playing an essential role for Iranians during a crisis in which the regime has attempted at times to block or slow Internet access.

RFE/RL’s service for Iran is one of the most popular and trusted media outlets in Iran, providing award-winning uncensored Persian-language news. Radio Farda is known for its in-depth coverage of the Iranian regime and its innovative use of anti-censorship technologies to reach audiences. Farda has a growing digital presence with millions of video and page views on its websites, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

[Source: RFE/RL press release; Image provided by RFE/RL/@vahidonline]

GoGlobal to deliver VOA’s English language training in Ukraine

6 December 2022

GoGlobal to deliver VOA’s English language training in Ukraine

English teachers in Ukraine will now have access to a treasure trove of material through a new agreement the Voice of America signed with GoGlobal, an NGO working on educational projects in Ukraine. The two organizations will bring to Ukrainian schools and learning centers VOA Learning English’s decades-long expertise of teaching foreign audiences the English language.

Under the terms of this agreement, VOA will create a training program for English teachers in Ukraine using VOA Learning English materials. VOA will also work with GoGlobal on additional training and programs featuring VOA Learning English content and provide guidance on its use.

For its part, GoGlobal will assist in the distribution of VOA Learning English content to Ukrainian schools and educational institutions. The NGO will also work with the VOA Learning English team in the preparation of training courses and webinars for English teachers in Ukraine interested in using VOA Learning English content.

“We’re very excited about this new collaboration,” said Acting VOA Director Yolanda Lόpez. “Our partnership with GoGlobal will not only expand VOA’s audience, but also provide Ukrainians with free access to VOA’s excellent English language training materials from our dedicated and experienced Learning English team.”

VOA Learning English endeavors to engage English learners around the world through lessons and content that speak to the interest of individuals. The service uses clear and simple vocabulary to teach American English on radio, television, Internet, and mobile. It reaches learners at their level of proficiency – from beginners to intermediate and advanced students. Through partnerships with organizations around the world, radio and television affiliates, as well as multilingual content, Learning English provides audiences with content and curricula to teach American English in targeted countries and regions.

[Source: VOA press release]

USAGM CEO Bennett condemns media restrictions in Afghanistan

2 December 2022

USAGM CEO Bennett condemns media restrictions in Afghanistan

In response to orders from Taliban officials to stop broadcasting all USAGM-funded programming on FM and AM transmitters operated by Radio Television Afghanistan, CEO Amanda Bennett issued the following statement:

“This action by the Taliban will be seen for what it truly is — an effort to restrict Afghan citizens’ access to uncensored information,” said Bennett. “The people of Afghanistan have the right to know all of the facts, including the information the Taliban is hoping to censor in this flagrant attack on press freedom.”

USAGM research in 2022 indicates that Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty content is reaching 66% of Afghan adults with access to a mobile phone on a weekly basis.

“Afghan citizens are seeking out independent, fact-based journalism from Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and this action by the Taliban is a reminder of the importance of press freedom,” Bennett added. “Repressive governments around the world like this one clearly understand the power of independent media — that is why they spend so much time and effort fighting it. We are already exploring alternate transmissions, and we will not let this action deter us.”

[Source: USAGM press release; Image: AP Photo/Hussein Malla/Associated Press/Alamy]

RFE/RL Condemns Taliban Move to Further Silence Independent Media

1 December 2022

RFE/RL Condemns Taliban Move to Further Silence Independent Media

The Taliban has removed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) award-winning programming from AM and FM radio transmission networks in Afghanistan.

“Azadi is a lifeline for tens of millions of Afghans, making the Taliban’s decision all the more tragic,” said RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly, speaking on 1 December. “RFE/RL will not change our editorial line to accommodate Taliban demands in order to stay on the air. We know from experience that our audiences make great efforts to find us. The truth cannot be completely suppressed.”

For decades, RFE/RL’s Afghan Service, known locally as Azadi, has been a staple of everyday life in Afghanistan, commonly heard in public settings, from marketplaces to taxis. In a recent survey commissioned by the U.S. Agency for Global Media, half of Afghan adults surveyed use Azadi content weekly. 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. Azadi has also informed Afghans about public health, provided school lessons for girls, exposed corruption, and 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 broadcasts from outside the country, and will expand options to reach its dedicated audience through other platforms.

RFE/RL’s Afghan Service is one of the most popular and trusted media outlets in Afghanistan, providing uncensored news in the Dari and Pashto languages. Following the Taliban takeover, RFE/RL closed its Kabul bureau, yet Azadi continues to cover events ignored by state media. In partnership with Learn Afghanistan, Azadi has also used innovative and accessible platforms to provide lessons for girls in grades 7-12 now barred from attending school. RFE/RL’s Afghan Service has a growing digital presence to reach younger audiences, with millions of video and page views on its websites, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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.

MBC GROUP expands anime partnerships to add titles to Shahid

1 December 2022

MBC GROUP expands anime partnerships to add titles to Shahid

Group has secured rights to various series, including TV Tokyo’s “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War,” the 52-episode Japanese anime television series based on the “Bleach” manga series by Tite Kubo

MBC GROUP – the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – has announced the expansion of its partnerships with key anime studios and production houses in Japan and beyond to bring more anime content to its streaming platform, Shahid.

At present, Shahid boasts hundreds of anime titles on its platform, including “Bleach”, “One Piece” “Attack on Titan”, “Tokyo Ghoul”, “Initial D”, “Gin Tama”, “Hunter x Hunter”, “Legend of the Galactic Heroes”, “Belle”, as well as the Japanese–Saudi Arabian animated action fantasy film, “The Journey”.

Building on these partnerships, MBC GROUP has secured exclusive rights in MENA to TV Tokyo’s “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War,” the 52-episode Japanese anime television series based on the “Bleach” manga series by Tite Kubo, and a direct sequel to the “Bleach” anime series. The title returns following an eight-year hiatus, is streaming on Shahid at the same time as Japan and the United States.

The entire box set of previously aired series’ of “Bleach” is also available on Shahid for streaming.

MBC GROUP has additionally extended a partnership with TOEI Animation to add more episodes of the renowned show, “ONE PIECE”, one of anime’s longest-running programmes, based on Eiichiro Oda’s manga series of the same name.

Following the success of the anime adaptation of “Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai” on Shahid, MBC GROUP has also expanded on its partnership with its production company, Aniplex. The expansion will see the addition of more than 200 hours of Aniplex content on Shahid, including “Fate/Stay Night”, “Sword Art Online”, and “Gurren Lagann”.

Tareq Al-Ibrahim, Director of Content for SVOD at Shahid, commented: “Anime is extremely popular in the Middle East region – particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – so needless to say, we are incredibly excited to be making new additions to our ever-expanding anime catalogue on Shahid, bringing new and hit titles that audiences will love exploring.”

All titles mentioned above will be available on Shahid before the end of 2022.

Often aimed at adults, Anime refers to the wide range of Japanese animation that reflects multiple genres and features a distinctly recognisable visual aesthetic and storytelling approach.

Shahid is the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform by MBC GROUP.

[Source: MBC press release]

NHK WORLD Monthly Focus for December

28 November 2022

NHK WORLD Monthly Focus for December

NHK WORLD – Monthly focus for December

Danjuro: A Kabuki Star for Three Centuries December 31 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo in November of 2022 assumed the name Ichikawa Danjuro XIII in an important career milestone. The first performer to go by the name was active 300 years ago and established many of the traditions that we associate with kabuki, one of which is the passing of actors’ names down the generations. Join us as we take a look at a special performance to mark the name change and some of the highlights of Ichikawa’s repertoire.
The Sustainable Feast December 28 Wed. 0:30/5:30/10:30/15:30/21:30 (UTC) There is a delicious new trend in food. Around the world, sustainability is on the menu, focusing on local ingredients and less waste. From the campus of America’s influential Culinary Institute to the restaurant of an innovative Japanese chef, see how we are transforming the way we eat!
Great Race Reuniting to Run: Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji Jan 1 Sun. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) Mt. Fuji’s Ultra-Trail race was back on track in April of 2022 after a two-year pandemic hiatus, attracting runners. The 100-mile path that runs through the ever-changing scenery of the World Heritage site is one of Japan’s longest trail-race courses. It takes even the strongest contestant at least 20 hours of continuous running to complete. Join us to witness the drama of runners pushing their limits in the beautiful setting of Mt. Fuji.
Medical Frontiers Mondays 14:30/20:30 Tuesdays 3:30/9:30 Thursdays 19:00 (UTC) Prevention to cure! The groundbreaking world of Japanese medical technology and healthcare. From food and exercise to the latest treatments.