France 24: The new international news television to launch its Arabic channel

This comes only four months after the launch of the French and English channels and following the huge success of these two stations.

Mr. Alain De Pouzilhac, CEO of France 24, declared: "We are pleased to announce the launch of the Arabic Channel of France 24 as of the 2nd of April 2007 at 4:00pm Paris time. The concept of a French TV news channel in different languages was actually born after thorough research was conducted that showed there were both a real need in presenting a different perspective on world news and addressing the outside world in their own language. With its trilingual broadcast - for the time being - France 24 aims at targeting decision makers in all fields of business, politics and international organizations, as well as scholars in Universities, each in his own fields, with a fresh new and objective outlook at world events from a French perspective. This means respect of the diversity of opinions, in line with French culture and values, free and open debate on all aspects of hot world conflicts and events and also respect to our viewers as well as plurality of expression and currents of thoughts and opinion."

He added saying: "The Arabic channel will be covering - likewise the French and English channels - all world events with a focus on five major sectors: News, Economics, Culture and arts, Sports and finally world weather forecast. France 24 will also be hosting live programs and debates that will be specially designed for the Arabic channel. The other edge that France 24 will have over other news channels is that we will be having three different broadcasts in three languages all following same programs and news content and coverage. Reports will be made in the three languages with adaptation to each culture whilst keeping the rigorous standards in scrupulously verifying all information received and comparing our sources."

Speaking on behalf of the France 24 Arabic team, Sophie Claudet said:" Our team is made of over 22 journalists form various Arab countries such as Lebanon, Algeria, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Irak, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Morocco and Tunisia. This is over and above all our correspondents all over the world who will help convey the news with a maximum of accuracy. The different Arab nationalities of our team members will allow them interact with our Arab viewers whilst keeping the cultural and values of the Arab world. We also have our own team of editors, camera crews and technicians, who will help support all the new technologies and modern communication tools, thus giving our viewers the best images and transmission quality."

Claudet insisted that" since the new France 24 Arabic channel is the only one of its kind, we will strive to be an independent news channel with an objective overview of all conflicts keeping our coverage at an equal distance of all parties, with respect to their views and opinions. This will help us built trust between our station and our Arab viewers."

Pouzilhac concluded: "France 24 Arabic channel will be launched from the Arab World Institute - Institut du Monde Arabe - in Paris on April 2nd. It will be distributed through digital broadcast on Satellites to cover all of the Middle East and North Africa Region.

As a first stage the Arabic broadcast will be for four hours daily starting 4:00 pm Paris time and will progressively raise to reach 8 hours then 12 and ultimately 24 hours a day.