France 24 Observers: “The Smugglers of modern-day Iran”

29 June 2022

France 24 Observers: “The Smugglers of modern-day Iran”

From the France 24 Observers: an in-depth investigation into smuggling networks of Iran.

With more than 36% of its economy coming from the informal sector, a significant proportion of consumer products sold in Iran are smuggled (alcoholic beverages, clothing, electronic products, food supplements, vehicle spare parts, etc.)

The goods are transported by three types of smugglers: The “Kulbars” are active in the West, bringing consumer goods across the mountains from neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan. The “Soukhtbars” haul gasoline and diesel across the desert plateaux in the east, to Pakistan. And The “Shootis” transport all kinds of goods from city to city across the country in cars that have been customised to carry heavier loads at high speed.

Ershad Alijani, journalist for the France 24 Observers and RFI’s Persian service, has been following these three groups of smugglers since 2019.

« The Bloody Silk Road – The Smugglers of modern-day Iran », seldom-seen images offer an immersion into the depths of a world that is little known, even in Iran.

« The Bloody Silk Road – The Smugglers of modern-day Iran »

Saturday July 2^ndat 10.45am on France 24* (Paris time)

From July 4^thon RFI’s digital platforms in Persian

[Source: France 24 press release]

FRANCE 24 programme highlight | France/Portugal cultural season

3 May 2022

FRANCE 24 programme highlight | France/Portugal cultural season

FRANCE 24 programme highlight: Lisbon: How African music is breaking down racial barriers?

In February 2022, France and Portugal embarked upon a cultural season that will see nine months of arts events in both countries. To celebrate this international friendship, France 24 is exploring Portuguese culture in a special programme. The culture show Encore! is going on a musical journey to Lisbon to meet the country’s top artists.

This show zooms in on the new Afro-Portuguese scene, whose influences come from Portugal’s former colonies Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe.

Presenter Eve Jackson meets award-winning Dino d’Santiago, a rising star of Portuguese music who mixes traditional and contemporary sounds. And DJ Marfox is in the mix, to explain how he brings new beats to the airwaves.

France 24’s team also takes part in a concert from the Batukadeiras Orquesta, a group of female drummers and Cape Verdean singers, specialising in Batuka – a rhythmic call-and-response style created in Cape Verde during the slave trade.

Watch on France 24 on Friday 13 May at 1015 GMT.

Mali withdraws RFI and France 24 licences

28 April 2022

Mali withdraws RFI and France 24 licences

The Malian government has withdrawn the operating licences of the international radio and TV services RFI and France 24.

The country’s High Authority of Communication said: “The licence granted to France Medias Monde [FMM] to establish and operate Radio France International, RFI, services in Mali under convention No. 055/HAC-MALI/2018 of 11 June 2018 is hereby permanently withdrawn.”

The ruling means that the two services cannot be carried by any Malian TV or radio distributor, and it also means that the online services of the broadcasters cannot be carried on Mali-based mobile phone operators.

Reacting, France Médias Monde condemned the move, saying: “France Médias Monde strongly contests such a measure and intends to appeal this decision. It will use all other possible means of appeal.

“We will continue to cover the news in Mali, which is of interest to the whole of Africa as well as the rest of the world. All technical solutions will be implemented to make our media accessible to Malians who wish to continue to receive free, expert information that is open to the world. FMM stresses its commitment to the independence and freedom of information.”

Update

Media watchdog RSF unblocks RFI and France 24 in Mali

29th April 2022

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says it has unblocked French media outlets in Mali a day after the country’s military rulers revoked their operating licences.

RSF said in a tweet that RFI and France 24 were back online as part of its Operation Collateral Freedom, which was launched in 2015 and “is currently enabling 47 websites in 24 countries (including eight sites in Russia) to circumvent censorship by their governments”.

France 24: 2022 Presidential Election 2nd round coverage

20 April 2022

France 24: 2022 Presidential Election 2nd round coverage

French voters will go to the polls to choose between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen for the second round of the Presidential Election on April 24.

During the election campaign, France 24 has brought extensive, multi-platform coverage of the candidates, the race, and the issues. On election night for the second round, France 24’s English language channel and website has mobilised its journalists and resources to provide global coverage of this important event in an evening of special programming.

On Live | 1700 to 2230 GMT: special edition

From 1700 to 2000 – Presented by François Picard and Marc Perelman. For three hours, France 24 will closely follow the second round of this election with its team of reporters and political guests and go live from the two candidates’ campaign headquarters. François Picard and Marc Perelman will be joined by France 24’s correspondents on the scene and around the world to analyse, discuss and dissect the latest numbers and key issues of the election.

From 2000 to 2230 – Presented by Genie Godula. Polls will be closed but France 24’s special coverage continues. Joined by a team of reporters from around the world and political analysts, they’ll take a deep dive into the result of the presidential election and the different consequences for France’s foreign policy for the next five years.

France 24 will offer rolling election coverage: reports plus exclusive developments can be found on france24.com and on the channel’s mobile application.

Mali suspends France 24 and RFI

18 March 2022

Mali suspends France 24 and RFI

Mali has suspended French international broadcasters France 24 television and RFI radio in the country.

On 17 March, a Malian government spokesman accused the two broadcasters of “destabilising the transition, demoralising the Malian people and discrediting the valiant FAMa”.

The announcement went on to say that RFI on shortwave and France 24 TV, plus the broadcasters’ digital platforms, would be suspended until further notice.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the Malian government’s decision on Thursday.

“I condemn with the greatest firmness this decision, which seems to me totally at odds with the values espoused by the people of Mali since its independence,” he said at a news conference in Paris.

Responding to the Malian government’s order, France Médias Monde said it “deplored” the decision and “strongly protested against the unfounded accusations that seriously undermine the professionalism of its broadcasters”.

In a statement released on 17 March, FMM said it would “study all avenues of appeal to ensure that such a decision is not implemented”. The group also reiterated its “unwavering commitment to freedom of information and the professionalism of its journalists”.