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Radio Sawa and Alhurra

Radio Sawa and Alhurra. Run-Up to Radio Sawa. VOA’s first Arabic broadcast, January 1950 from New York studios Broadcast hours increased steadily based on events in the Arab world VOA audience always small vis-à-vis the BBC and Radio Monte Carlo Middle East

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Radio Sawa and Alhurra

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  1. Radio Sawa and Alhurra

  2. Run-Up to Radio Sawa • VOA’s first Arabic broadcast, January 1950 from New York studios • Broadcast hours increased steadily based on events in the Arab world • VOA audience always small vis-à-vis the BBC and Radio Monte Carlo Middle East • Limited medium wave and FM coverage, limited hours, and “U.S. Government” Broadcasts

  3. Radio Sawa’s “Together” Creation • Planning for Radio Sawa started 8 months before 9/11 • Money from VOA program elimination • Norm Pattiz: Westwood One founder and former BEA board member appointed to BBG by Clinton • Pattiz became Radio Sawa driving force re programming, transmission, and distrubution • First broadcast: March 23, 2002

  4. Radio Sawa’s Format • Top-40 Music and News—Designed for an under-30 audience • News at :15 and :45 • Music: Western, mostly a U.S. song followed by an Arabic song • Some commentary/features

  5. Reaction to Radio Sawa • Generally favorable in the U.S. • Promoted heavily by Norm Pattiz • Initial positive listener response • Copycat local Arab stations • Continuing positive listener response

  6. Radio Sawa’s Limitations • Some language difficulties • Some news difficulties • Medium-wave distribution for an FM-oriented service • Lack of coverage in important Arab states: Saudi Arabia and Egypt

  7. Radio Sawa in 2006 • Mature radio station • “Popular” in some countries: Jordan, Kuwait, and Morocco • Serves more listeners than the old VOA Arabic service • Seen by U.S. Administration as important aspect of U.S.-Middle East public diplomacy

  8. Alhurra, “The Free One” • 24-hour BBG DTH Arabic television service • Modern studios in Springfield, VA, outside Washington, D.C. • Seen by the U.S. Administration as important part of U.S.-Arab World public diplomacy • Funded by BBG, operated by Middle East Television Network

  9. Alhurra Programming & Staff • Pattiz: “People are loyal to radio stations, and loyal to television programs” • Block news, information, features, entertainment programming • Staff hired from the Arab world

  10. Alhurra’s Impact • Measuring the Alhurra audience • Problem: A lack of standards for measuring international media audiences • BBG-funded 2005 7-country study showed 25 percent had tuned in once per week • Zogby 2004 International found 0.2 percent tuned in

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