2007
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Broadcasts from Fallujah
A broadcast centre has been established in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, 50 kilometres west of Baghdad, reported the AFP. The city, which was almost destroyed by a US attack three years ago, now contains two radio stations, Fallujah Sawt Al Hur and Fallujah FM, and a TV channel, despite severely limited funds. The broadcast centre contains dozens of staff making programmes that express the 'thoughts of freedom'.
Iranian newspaper relaunched
Kargozaran, a moderate Iranian newspaper owned by the Executives of Construction Party which is allied to cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Islamic Republic's former President, has been relaunched, reported the AFP. The paper's Chief Editor is Mehran Karami, who was a columnist on the banned moderate dailies Shargh and Ham Mihan. Kargozaran stopped printing in September due to financial problems.
Irdeto to Studio City
Irdeto, a supplier of content security for digital TV, Internet Protocol Television and mobile operators and a subsidiary of multinational media group Naspers, has established a Middle East regional base at Dubai Studio City. Irdeto's key clients in the region include Showtime, ART, Al Majd, Orbit and Al Jazeera. Its corporate headquarters are in Amsterdam and Beijing.
Saudi blogger in jail
A Saudi Arabian blogger who spoke out against religious extremism in the kingdom has apparently been detained by the authorities, reported PC World. The Committee to Protect Journalists has said Fouad Ahmed Al Farhan was arrested on December 10 and his Arabic language website now has a 'Free Fouad' banner across the top in English. Al Farhan told friends shortly before his arrest that the Ministry of Interior was investigating him.
Al Maha picks BPG ADINC
Oman's Al Maha Ceramics Company, part of Al Anwar Holdings, has appointed BPG ADINC as its integrated communications agency. Besides supporting Al Maha's advertising requirements, BPG ADINC will also handle its public relations as well as its new media exposure. Al Maha produces wall and floor tiles and it is set to launch a new range of Italian designed tiles.
Bahraini journos await law
Journalists in Bahrain are hoping that the kingdom's new press law, which will be debated in parliament in January, will allow them greater freedom of expression, reported Gulf News. The new Minister of Information, Jihad Bu Kamal, is regarded as a moderate and has sanctioned the publication of previously banned books. Conservative MPs want the law to include the option of jailing journalists for expressing their own opinions.
Porn pics on Iranian billboard
Iranian police are investigating how pictures purportedly taken by a mobile phone and showing naked women were displayed on an electronic billboard in the city of Karaj near Tehran, reported the AFP citing the ISNA. Several un-named individuals have been arrested after the pornographic images were subsequently distributed via the Internet and their office has been sealed off. It is not known what company they work for.
Dubai One anniversary
Dubai One, the 24 hour free-to-air English language TV channel established by Dubai Media Incorporated, celebrates its third anniversary today, Monday. The channel has rolled out three in-house productions in 2007 including Emirates News, Out and About and, most recently, the Hersay talk show. Dubai One also shows 21 movies per week and buys in a range of international TV series.
Mediaedge:cia appointments
Mediaedge:cia, a communications planning and implementation agency, has appointed a new management team for its online division, MEC:Interaction. Andreanne Leclerc will take on the role of Manager, MEC:Interaction while Nawaz Shahzad joins the team as Interactive Producer. Mediaedge:cia counts the likes of Emaar Properties, Citibank and Etisalat among its client list.
DMI funds Syrian TV centre
Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) is to provide a grant of $8m to the Syrian Public Authority for Radio and Television for the purpose of setting up a news centre for Syrian TV, reported the local WAM news agency. The cash will also be used to train 20 staff and will enable the facility to be ready for the Arab Summit in Damascus next March.
New GM for Image Works
The Image Works, a Dubai based firm specialising in exhibition and interiors solutions, has appointed Andy Linforth as its new General Manager. Linforth was formerly the company's International Business Development Director. Meanwhile, The Image Works has also moved premises to the Dubai Investments Park.
QIB goes for Action Qatar
The Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), which has 19 branches across Qatar, has asked Action Qatar to continue carrying out its GCC-wide public relations activities. Action Qatar also counts the W Doha Hotel and Residences, Chubb Fire Qatar and British Airways among its clients. Action Qatar is part of the Cyprus headquartered international public relations agency, Action Global Communications Group.
Mediaquest in Gray deal
Mediaquest Corp has acquired the publishing and events divisions of Gray Business Communications in a 'multi-million dirham' deal. The deal, inked this week and taking effect from January 2, will add a number of brands to the Mediaquest's portfolio including the Gulf Marketing Review, GMR-Online, Al Tasweeq Al Arabi and RaceWeek. Mediaquest also takes over a number of specialist sports publications in addition to the GBC Events division.
Lebanese film wins award
The Lebanese film 'Taht el Qasef', which translates as Under the Bombs and was directed by Philippe Aractingi, has scooped the Gold Muhr award at the fourth Dubai International Film Festival, reported the AFP. The film, which focuses on a love affair between a Muslim Shia woman and a Christian man in Lebanon during Israel's attack on the country in 2006, beat two Tunisian movies to the title.
Teshkeel, Cartoon Network deal
Kuwait's Teshkeel Media Group has signed a partnership with the Time Warner Company's Cartoon Network, an all-animation TV channel aimed at children. Teshkeel will publish nine issues of the Cartoon Network Magazine per year across the Mena region, in both English and Arabic. Each 32 page issue includes comic strips, puzzles, games and give-aways and is targeted at boys and girls aged from 6-12.
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