BBC World Service files urgent appeal to UN over abuse of national security and counter-terrorism laws against BBC News Persian journalists

16 April 2024

BBC World Service files urgent appeal to UN over abuse of national security and counter-terrorism laws against BBC News Persian journalists

The BBC World Service has submitted an updated complaint to its urgent appeal filed with the UN and requested urgent action.

The action follows recent developments, including the publication of documents in late February 2024 by a hacking group, which appear to reveal that a number of current and former BBC News Persian journalists were convicted in absentia by a court in Tehran in February 2022 for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic”. This comes after sanctions were imposed on Iranian officials by the UK and US in January this year for threats towards Iranian journalists in London.

The updated complaint was sent to five Special Procedures mandate-holders with whom it was first filed in December 2020 and updated in February 2022: the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression; the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions; the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its Causes and Consequences; and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

The new complaint was also addressed, for the first time, to the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism, citing “the relevance of historic and recent events” to this UN Special Rapporteur’s mandate, including the sanctioning of BBC News Persian by Iran, as well as the mass national security criminal investigation of BBC News Persian staff and the associated asset freeze.

In the appeal, submitted on behalf of the BBC by counsel for BBC News Persian, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC and Jennifer Robinson, and presented by them as “extremely urgent”, the UN experts are requested to issue:

a new communication to Iran, raising both Iran’s inadequate response to their previous communication in 2022, and the recent developments; and
a public joint statement from UN experts condemning the ongoing targeting and harassment of BBC News Persian journalists.

Liliane Landor, Director, BBC World Service (pictured), says: “Recent developments have amplified the severe situation facing our BBC News Persian staff on a daily basis. They are being penalised for their journalism and professionalism.

“As we look to World Press Freedom Day next month, we are urging UN experts to robustly condemn the Iranian authorities’ harassment and to hold the regime to account.”

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “Journalists must not be targeted for doing their job. Speaking truth to power and covering the news without fear or favour must be the cornerstones of journalism, but BBC News Persian and other Iranian journalists are today suffering for doing just that. We fully support this intervention from the BBC and encourage the UN to exercise its influence to bring safety and justice for Iranian journalists and their families who are targeted so heartlessly.”

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC and Jennifer Robinson, said: “Iran’s abuse of national security and counter-terrorism laws against the BBC and the convictions in absentia for BBC News Persian journalists for ‘propaganda’ against the state for their independent reporting on Iran are designed to intimidate and silence the BBC’s journalism about Iran. It must stop. We call on the UN to denounce these unlawful actions in the strongest possible terms.”

These recent developments come in the context of comprehensive targeting and intimidation of BBC News Persian staff and the harassment of their families, which escalated dramatically from September 2022 in the aftermath of the mass protests and increased tension in Iran, which BBC News Persian has reported extensively on. This was the subject of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran whose final report issued earlier in 2024 documented the continuing threats and harassment of BBC News Persian staff.

The ongoing harassment is also documented in a 2024 survey of BBC News Persian staff where half of the respondents said they had received online threats or been harassed online for working for the BBC. The work of the BBC journalists continues to cause harassment of their families or friends, with over 60% of the respondents having been harassed, threatened or questioned in Iran. Nearly 70% said that they hadn’t been able to say goodbye to one or both their parents before they passed away in Iran.

BBC News Persian is part of the BBC World Service.

[Source: BBC press release]

Samar Akrouk appointed MD of MBC STUDIOS

4 April 2024

Samar Akrouk appointed MD of MBC STUDIOS

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

A seasoned production veteran, Akrouk – who has dedicated nearly three decades of service to MBC GROUP – will also retain her position as Group Director of Production.

In her new role, Akrouk will lead MBC STUDIOS’ ongoing work in expanding the reach of its content to audiences around the world. She will be managing the entity’s mission to leverage the ongoing trend for non-English-language television content to reach more global markets.

Meanwhile, Akrouk will also continue her work as Group Director of Production where she leads a dynamic team of producers, directors, technicians, and creators, directly overseeing all of MBC GROUP’s non-scripted productions for MBC TV channels, Shahid, and social media – which comprises over 1,500 hours of original content production annually. This includes chat shows, social programming, game shows and competitions, comedy, as well as local adaptations of international franchises: “Arab Idol”, “Arab’s Got Talent”, “Project Runway”, “Top Chef”, “The Voice: Arabia”, “The Voice Kids”, “The Voice Seniors”, and “X Factor Arabia”. Samar Akrouk also headed the production team of the Arabic musical film “Sukkar”, inspired by the famous epistolary novel, “Daddy-Long-Legs” by American writer Jean Webster, which achieved unprecedented success and revenues for an Arabic musical film in Arab box office.

Commenting on her appointment, Akrouk stated: “I am absolutely delighted and thrilled to take on the responsibilities of my new role as Managing Director of MBC STUDIOS, building upon the exceptional achievements of the team so far. This role marks a significant milestone in my career, one which I have devoted to the MBC GROUP family since 1995.

She continued: “Our forthcoming endeavours in drama and film production arrive at an opportune moment. There’s no doubt that our region, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is in the spotlight, drawing considerable interest from leading international production studios focused on creating world-class content. I cannot wait to delve deeper, roll up my sleeves, and further contribute to this incredible organisation that I have called home for past 27 years.”

CAREER BACKGROUND

Joining MBC GROUP in 1995, Akrouk has played a pivotal role in establishing both MBC’s foundation and its exponential growth. Beginning her career with ARA Group International, MBC GROUP’s holding company, in its Washington DC office, Akrouk later moved to join MBC GROUP’s US branch of ANA Radio and Television as Assistant Director in 1996.

In 2001, Akrouk relocated to Beirut, where she was tasked with establishing the first main office for the Group in the Middle East, prior to MBC GROUP’s relocation from London to Dubai. The executive has not only been credited with playing a major role in building MBC GROUP’s in-house production powerhouse but has also led the transformation of production from solely linear TV broadcast content to a full, 360-degree multi-platform content operation.

Born in Amman and raised in New York, Akrouk received her bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Law from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

MBC STUDIOS is the in-house premium content production arm of MBC GROUP, a media conglomerate that operates more than 13 free-to-air satellite TV channels, three radio stations, and Shahid – the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform – amongst other offerings.

[Source: MBC press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Monthly Focus April

3 April 2024

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Monthly Focus April

Discover the magic of Kiyomizu-dera

The Perfect 2-Hour Guide: Kiyomizu-dera April 7 Sun. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) Take a journey through Kyoto’s historic Kiyomizu-dera Temple, from its iconic stage to its tranquil sacred spring. Explore this wondrous space and bask in springtime beauty in this two-hour program.
Documentary 360: Game Planet April 13 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) As growth in the game industry accelerates, game makers pursue increased global attention through new strategies. Japanese game companies, once undisputed champions, now face competition to survive.
Japan in Focus: Defending Fresh Starts April 12 Fri. 14:30/20:30/3:10/10:10 April 17 Wed. 19:10 (UTC) A drug-dealing yakuza member turned his life around and became a lawyer. Now he helps others start over.
Asia Insight Fridays 0:30/5:30/10:30/15:30/21:30 (UTC) Dynamic Asia. Stories behind the world’s largest continent as it faces political, economic, cultural and technological change.

VOA Launches New FM Station in Rwanda

28 March 2024

VOA Launches New FM Station in Rwanda

Voice of America launched its second FM radio station in Rwanda on March 28. Broadcasting to Karongi, a district of more than 375,000 people, the new station (93.3 FM) also serves the large refugee camp in Kiziba. VOA has successfully served audiences from an FM radio station (104.3 FM) in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali since 2004.

The new station will offer a mix of programming that caters to the many ethnic groups in Rwanda, offering translations in Kirundi, French, Swahili, and English as well as the Kinyarwanda language, which is spoken by the majority of Rwanda’s population.

“We are pleased to begin broadcasting directly to the Karongi district of Rwanda,” said VOA Acting Director John Lippman. “Our new radio station will expand our efforts to provide independent journalism and diverse perspectives, in many languages, to a fast-growing country.”

VOA operates more than 50 FM stations throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. The U.S. broadcaster reaches a weekly global audience of more than 354 million people in 48 languages in nearly 100 countries via radio, television, web and mobile media and a network of more than 3,500 affiliates worldwide.

[Source: VOA press release]

BBC Studios and SABC join forces to launch BBC Primetime on S3

20 March 2024

BBC Studios and SABC join forces to launch BBC Primetime on S3

BBC Primetime will reach 13 million homes in South Africa, marking BBC Studios’ widest reaching branded service in EMEA

BBC Studios’ first hand-crafted content block in Africa will be available on S3 weeknights between 21:00-23:00.
BBC Primetime will give S3 audiences access to a hand-picked selection of BBC Studios’ award-winning dramas, documentaries and factual entertainment. Shows include Luther, Critical, Cheaters, Top Gear, Louis Theroux: Forbidden America and more.
BBC Primetime launches in May 2024

BBC Studios and South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) announce BBC Primetime, a brand-new content block for S3, featuring a hand-picked selection of award-winning dramas, factual entertainment and documentaries from BBC Studios’ award-winning catalogue. BBC Primetime will be available to watch weeknights between 21:00 and 23:00 on S3 and on SABC+ from May 2024 and is BBC Studios’ widest reaching branded service in EMEA.

BBC Primetime has been hand-crafted by BBC Studios, offering S3 viewers access to globally recognised content Monday-Friday. The content block will include a range of shows including psychological crime thriller starring Idris Elba, Luther, intense medical drama, Critical, gripping factual motoring show, Top Gear (season 14-17), and romantic comedy, Cheaters. Documentary series, Louis Theroux: Forbidden America, exploring three controversial corners of American entertainment and culture, will also be available to watch from launch.

Pierre Cloete, the Commercial Director at BBC Studios in Africa says “I am so excited to launch our first BBC branded block in Africa with SABC. BBC Primetime will be hand-picked for S3 audiences, packed with a selection of incredible programming from our award-winning catalogue. From intense thrillers, crime dramas and inspiring documentaries, this marks our first block for free to air audiences in South Africa, giving 13 million homes access to BBC Studios’ shows. I can’t wait for the 2024 launch.”

Sane Zondi, Programming Manager at SABC says “This partnership with BBC Studios is born out of the need for us to fulfil our commitment in delivering high quality international content to our viewers. We are excited to have access to a vast catalogue from the BBC, and the unlimited world-class entertainment our viewers will be able to enjoy through BBC Primetime on S3. The deal allows us to bring back some of the iconic BBC titles to our viewers which formed weekly habitual viewing, with Top Gear being the most notable one. I know our viewers will be delighted for the return to their screens and I know it will form their weekly engagements with us. There is a range of new content which we are keen for our audiences watch. We look forward to seeing some of the sentiments and reactions across our social media platforms on this great new era on our channel.”

BBC Primetime will be available to watch on S3 and SABC+ from May 2024.

[Source: BBC press release]