The BBC World Service has started recruiting senior editorial staff for the BBC Arabic Television service to be launched in autumn 2007.
In recent years the Middle East, has witnessed a boom in satellite television news and media consumption and a number of international broadcasters have expressed interest in establishing a presence in the region.
Salah Negm, who joined the channel as news editor, said: "We'll be initially recruiting output editors – and one for news-gathering. We're aiming to be fast, modern in style and outlook; strong on analysis with a wide international perspective. It will maintain the BBC values of accuracy, editorial independence, impartiality, while balancing a wide diversity of views."
The corporation said that BBC Arabic Television will have "broad appeal", free from commercial, political and religious affiliations or pressures.
Negm said: "The new channel will not simply be another satellite news station. It's part of a wider vision to introduce a multi-media BBC Arabic Service – drawing on the great traditions and strengths of its Radio and Online operation to better serve audiences across the Arab world."
German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle is preparing to
broadcast as much as 24 hours of daily of news programming in Arabic
this autumn, Russia Today has similar plans backed by a $40 million
budget, and a new French channel is expected launch an Arabic service in
2007.
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