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Saudi to archive digital media assets
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture and Information said it has launched a major archiving project with EMC Middle East to digitize its analogue information and media assets and reduce cost of operations. The EMC solution will protect over 270,000 video and 500,000 audio tapes which contain the data on the history and culture of the kingdom encompassing over 50 years, Dr. Riyadh Najm, Deputy Minister for Engineering Affairs said.
Bahrain suspends newspaper
Bahraini authorities have informed the Akhbar Al Khaleej newspaper late last night (Sunday) that the daily newspaper has been suspended until further notice for reasons related to the Press law, the Gulf Daily News has reported. The suspension order was received a few minutes before the newspaper was due to go to press.
Iran expels BBC correspondent
An official at the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has said the ministry has decided to expel the BBC's correspondent in Tehran over the broadcaster's coverage of this month's election. The BBC has confirmed Jon Leyne, its permanent correspondent in Tehran, has been asked to leave, adding 'The BBC office remains open.' The official did not give details, but state radio cited the 'distortion of news regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran and particularly news pertaining to the election.'
Web channel for auto industry to launch
Automotive Media Group is in final preparations to launch, Top Drive TV, the Middle East's first web television channel for the automobile industry, reported Emirates Business. Dimitrije Simonovic, Top Drive Managing Director said the new web TV's advertising rates will be cheaper and that geography will not limit the availability of TV content through the internet. 'Initially we intend to get video content from the automobile manufacturers and later we will have our own TV shows focusing on tuning, street racing and other motor sports activities, too,' he said.
Jordan newspapers to boycott House
Jordan's major dailies have decided to stop news coverage of the Parliament in reaction to accusations by lawmakers against the media, as the House debated and upheld a tax on advertising revenue that media figures say would seriously harm the industry. During last Wednesday's session, 51 out of 76 attending deputies had rejected a modification to the Culture Law intended to annul a 5% tax on media outlets' advertising revenues. House Speaker, Abdul Hadi Majali had pledged to exert efforts to revisit the law following a protest by industry leaders.
Iran blocks BBC satellite channel
Iran has blocked the satellite channel on which the BBC broadcasts its Persian television service into the country. As a result, the BBC World Service has added broadcasts from three other satellites that are out of reach of the jamming equipment being used. The BBC said the jamming began on last Friday, the day Iranians went to the polls, rather than when popular unrest began to grow.
Dubai Studio City arranges for Hilton show
Dubai Studio City has announced its role in facilitating government approvals and locations approval for a season of Paris Hilton's My New BFF to be shot on-location in Dubai. Dubai Studio City has done the arrangements thorugh its Location Approval Services (LAS) department, as well as arranging sponsorship for the show. Viola Communications is set to handle day-to-day production of the show.
Iran issues online media warning
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have threatened the country's online media with legal action if any sites publish material that could create "tension," AFP has reported. The elite force said it had identified websites run by companies it charged were backed by the US and British secret services.
TMH enlists Navy client
TMH, a Dubai-based branding consultant, has been commissioned to create a new brand ID and supporting collateral for Gulf Logistics and Naval Support, a JV between Abu Dhabi Ship Building and UK-based shipbuilders BVT Surface Fleet. The JV will provide naval support services for the marine fleets of navies, coast guards, marine police, homeland security organisations, special forces and other key commercial customers throughout the GCC.
Info2Cell to launch video platform
Mobile content aggregator Info2Cell has announced it will launch a new mobile video platform for Arabic user generated content (UGC) prior to Ramadan. The service will allow videos to be uploaded via mobile handsets to a site managed by Info2Cell and made available on a UGC-themed channel developed by the company. In addition to hosting and distributing the content, Info2Cell will also take responsibility for the filtering process.
New departments to investigate UAE media cases
The Abu Dhabi Judiciary Department has issued a decision to set up specialised public prosecution and judicial departments to handle all media-related cases in the emirate. Judge Yousuf Saeed Al Abri, Acting Attorney General in Abu Dhabi said the media-related public prosecution will be based in the Attorney General's technical office and will be managed by a public prosecution member.
Ascot inks deal with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
Britain's Ascot Racecourse has signed a partnership deal with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which includes branding around the course at this week's royal meeting, including on the starting stalls, as well as sponsorship of the £150,000 Abu Dhabi International Handicap on King George day, when the Emirates Equestrian Federation is backing a £50,000 race for pure bred Arabian horses. 'We identified the opportunity with Ascot racecourse as a singular platform to maximum destination awareness,' said ADTA deputy general Ahmed Hussein.
Iran shuts down Al Arabiya
A statement by MBC has said that Iranian authorities have closed down Al Arabiya's Tehran bureau, amid heightened tensions and a series of riots following the results of the presidential elections. The office has been closed for a week, although no official explanation has been given. A number of foreign journalists were also asked to leave the country on Saturday.
Mindshare wins Nissan account
Nissan Middle East has appointed Mindshare to handle the accounts for Nissan's passenger cars, sport utility vehicles and light commercial vehicles range, in addition to the luxury Infiniti brand, across the Middle East and North African region. 'Nissan Middle East is confident that Mindshare would add value in communicating our 'shift the way you move' message to the Middle East audience,' said Monal Zeidan, General Manager Marketing and Corporate Communications at Nissan Middle East. Nissan's media budget for the fiscal year is estimated at $25m, according to MediaWeek.
Free To Air channels hit 474
Arab Advisors Group research has found that the number of Free to Air (FTA) Satellite TV channels in the Arab World has grown by 28.1% between August 2007 and March 2009 to 474 channels broadcasting on Arabsat, Nilesat and/or Noorsat. Just over 46.5% of the fully launched and operational FTA channels are headquartered in the Gulf region, while the African and Levant regions follow with 22.9% and 19.9%, respectively, according to the report. A total of 72.4% of private satellite channels are privately owned while 26.6% are government owned, said Issa Goussous, Arab Advisors Senior research analyst.
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