2004
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
Saudi FM radio listening habits
According to a new study from the Arab Advisors Group close to 82 per cent of Saudis listen to FM radio, and 54 per cent listen to FM radio on a daily basis. FM radio listening is mostly done while driving cars with over 57 per cent listening while in their cars. A minority of four per cent listen to FM radio at work.
Protest at Bahrain journalist ban
Bahraini journalist organisations have protested at a decision by the parliamentary Speaker to ban a local reporter over an alleged misquoting of an Islamic member of the Council of Representatives, according to Gulf News. The Bahrain Journalists Society said it was unfortunate, and the as yet unlicenced journalists union said the action was shocking.
The Gate, new DIFC magazine
ITP has launched The Gate magazine in cooperation with the Dubai International Financial Centre. This magazine is designed to promote the DIFC as a location for international finance, while also serving as a useful information source for DIFC licence holders.
Al Jazeera, USD30m for English
Arab satellite TV network Al Jazeera is to spend up to USD30m million to launch its English-language news channel by the end of 2005, said a spokesman. The Qatar-based station will hire some 300 staff and operate out of three regional centres, including Kuala Lumpur.
More days for 7 Days
The weekly UAE tabloid newspaper 7 Days is to become a daily publication within about two weeks, said sources close to the project. 7 Days has left the Dubai Media City and moved to a different sponsorship arrangement, and is now based in downtown Dubai.
Bahraini reporter barred
A reporter for a local Bahraini newspaper, Al Wasat, has been barred from covering parliamentary sessions, reported Gulf News. A group of MPs has complained about an article in which they say an MP was deliberately misquoted in a speech on the US-lead assault on Fallujah.
Media student talent shortlist
Forty-four students have been shortlisted for the Ibda'a Student Media Awards, organised by Dubai Media City. The finalists come from eight different countries worldwide, with categories ranging from print and advertising to photography and animation.
Saatchi, new co-CEOs
Saatchi and Saatchi has announced the appointment of Vikram Naidu and George Assad as co-CEOs for the Middle East. The two pledged to continue working with their One Dream, One Team under the maxim that Nothing is Impossible! Saatchi and Saatchi is well known for its imaginative catch phrases.
Kuwait weekly fined for libel
The Kuwait weekly Al Taleaa was fined USD255 yesterday for accusing the GCC chief Abdulrahman Al Attiyah of financial and administrative irregularities in an article published in March. The criminal court convicted the liberal weekly of libel.
Film on Dubai wins award
A 12-minute promotional film about Dubai won the Mention of the Grand Prix award at the the annual CIFFT film festival in Vienna. The title, Welcome to 21st Century Arabia, was named as the best tourism promotion film at this prestigious event.
CNN tops TV survey
Research commissioned from Ipsos Stat has confirmed CNN as the top international TV channel in the region, outstripping rivals so that comparison is made with Al Jazeera and Al Arabiyah rather than other foreign stations. CNN has four times more viewers a month than BBC World among the Saudi elite. And more than 50 per cent turn to CNN first for live news.
Record entries for Media awards
Entries for the 2004 Ibda'a Media student awards are at a record level, reported Gulf News. Of the 2,013 entries received, 38 per cent are from India, 28 per cent from Iran, 14 per cent from GCC states and 12 per cent from Egypt. The finalists will be brought to Dubai for an exhibition of their work to be held from November 28 to 30.
DMC media expansion
The Dubai Media City is considering a separate building for resident freelance media professionals, reported Gulf News. The DMC expansion comprises five towers containing 400,000 sqft of rentable space, one of which will have the capacity to accommodate 250 freelancers. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2005.
Kuwait amends journalist laws
The Kuwait government has drafted a bill amending the Press and Publications Law, reported Gulf News. If passed into law it will remove censorship of the local press, prevent government from closing down publications without a court order and allow imprisonment of journalists only in cases of blasphemy and defamation of the Emir.
Communicate, new media monthly
Communicate, a monthly magazine covering marketing, advertising and the media in the Arab world and beyond, is set to launch next month in Dubai under a partnership between Crain Communications and Medialeader. Communicate will offer news and features from Advertising Age, combined with comprehensive reporting on who's who and what's happening in the marketing and communications industry in the Middle East.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds