01 May 2003

From BBC Monitoring (copyright): Iraq: Kurdish PUK launches radio station in Baghdad Text of report by Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) newspaper Al-Ittihad on 1 May Following the publication of Al-Ittihad in Baghdad, the Voice of Freedom, Voice of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, began FM test transmissions daily on 95 MHz. The radio broadcasts programmes in Arabic and Kurdish from 1300 until 2200 [local time: 1000-1900 gmt]. The programmes include news bulletins, political analyses, interviews, as well as variety and music. The Voice of Freedom is another initiative by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan in its firm policy towards free Iraq, the Iraq of equality and coexistence, and the Arab-Kurdish dialogue. Despite technical difficulties, the PUK also works persistently to launch a television channel in Baghdad, out of its commitment to ensure the success of the democratic process and fill the gaps left behind by the regime. Source: Al-Ittihad, Baghdad, in Arabic 1 May 03 via BBC Monitoring 9:33:41 PM     comment on this entry []

CCTV-9 plans facelift I was just watching CCTV-9, the Chinese-based English language news channel. They had quite a lot about SARS, but since this is a media blog and not a medical blog you may be more interested in the promo they ran during the news programme. On 8 May, CCTV-9 is getting a facelift (their term), and some of the 15 minute features are being expanded. They're also going to have Chinese lessons that are "even more fun." Also noted that the Financial Report is being re-named to Chinese Biz. In general I'm impressed with the quality of their production, but they're still let down by mispronounciations. Tonight they had an item referring to Bethlehem's "mangger square."  Somehow "Away in a mangger" doesn't have the same ring to it :-) 9:31:32 PM     comment on this entry []

Radio Sumer/WRN The technical glitch on the satellite feed reported in the Weblog on 29 April is still there, reports Tarek: "Today checking the satellite frequency almost 30 minutes before the sign on of Radio Sumer, hoping that I'd catch the Twin Rivers Radio!! but I found that the glitch is still on WRN in French and on the same frequency they play the theme of Radio Sumer and Radio Tikrit but with no ID ..they keep on playing the musical ID theme with NO ID at all...I think that's a funny thing..wonder what's going on on this frequency??" 9:25:19 PM     comment on this entry []

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