US-Funded Broadcaster Al-Hurra Undergoes Major Restructuring: 160 Staff Laid Off, Iraq Channel Merged
3 Sources
3 Sources
[1]
US-funded broadcaster Al Hurra lays off 160 staff, merges Iraq channel
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The parent company of U.S. government-funded Arabic language broadcaster Al Hurra has cut 160 jobs and is merging its Iraq channel after a 20% budget cut mandated by the U.S. Congress, its CEO said in a note to staff. "Today is a sad day. We've said goodbye today to 160 of our colleagues. We've reduced our workforce by 21%," MBN Acting President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin said in a note to staff on Monday. "The moves we are making are obligatory. Congressionally mandated budget cuts have forced us to reduce company costs by nearly $20 million," he said. MBN comprises two satellite TV channels - Al Hurra and Al Hurra Iraq - as well as two radio stations and several websites. Headquartered in the U.S. state of Virginia, Al Hurra began broadcasting in February 2004 as part of a U.S. effort to connect with audiences in the Middle East amid rising anti-American sentiment following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. It aims to "accurately represent America, Americans, and American policies," and engage in independent journalism, according to the MBN website. MBN said it was merging Al Hurra Iraq with Al Hurra TV "to provide viewers with the best of both networks" and said "Iraq remains a priority -- a vital part of the MBN region and ecosystem." A company spokesperson said 30 of the staff laid off were in Iraq and 130 were in other parts of the region and the U.S. MBN said it was moving away from a costly brick-and-mortar presence and would instead prioritise multimedia journalism by employees while exploring new technologies, such as artificial intelligence. (Reporting by Timour Azhari; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
[2]
US-Funded Broadcaster Al Hurra Lays off 160 Staff, Merges Iraq Channel
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The parent company of U.S. government-funded Arabic language broadcaster Al Hurra has cut 160 jobs and is merging its Iraq channel after a 20% budget cut mandated by the U.S. Congress, its CEO said in a note to staff. "Today is a sad day. We've said goodbye today to 160 of our colleagues. We've reduced our workforce by 21%," MBN Acting President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin said in a note to staff on Monday. "The moves we are making are obligatory. Congressionally mandated budget cuts have forced us to reduce company costs by nearly $20 million," he said. MBN comprises two satellite TV channels - Al Hurra and Al Hurra Iraq - as well as two radio stations and several websites. Headquartered in the U.S. state of Virginia, Al Hurra began broadcasting in February 2004 as part of a U.S. effort to connect with audiences in the Middle East amid rising anti-American sentiment following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. It aims to "accurately represent America, Americans, and American policies," and engage in independent journalism, according to the MBN website. MBN said it was merging Al Hurra Iraq with Al Hurra TV "to provide viewers with the best of both networks" and said "Iraq remains a priority -- a vital part of the MBN region and ecosystem." A company spokesperson said 30 of the staff laid off were in Iraq and 130 were in other parts of the region and the U.S. MBN said it was moving away from a costly brick-and-mortar presence and would instead prioritise multimedia journalism by employees while exploring new technologies, such as artificial intelligence. (Reporting by Timour Azhari; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
[3]
US-funded broadcaster Al Hurra lays off 160 staff, merges Iraq channel
"The moves we are making are obligatory. Congressionally mandated budget cuts have forced us to reduce company costs by nearly $20 million," he said. MBN comprises two satellite TV channels - Al Hurra and Al Hurra Iraq - as well as two radio stations and several websites. Headquartered in the U.S. state of Virginia, Al Hurra began broadcasting in February 2004 as part of a U.S. effort to connect with audiences in the Middle East amid rising anti-American sentiment following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. It aims to "accurately represent America, Americans, and American policies," and engage in independent journalism, according to the MBN website. MBN said it was merging Al Hurra Iraq with Al Hurra TV "to provide viewers with the best of both networks" and said "Iraq remains a priority -- a vital part of the MBN region and ecosystem." A company spokesperson said 30 of the staff laid off were in Iraq and 130 were in other parts of the region and the U.S. MBN said it was moving away from a costly brick-and-mortar presence and would instead prioritise multimedia journalism by employees while exploring new technologies, such as artificial intelligence. (Reporting by Timour Azhari; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
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Al-Hurra, a US-funded Arabic-language broadcaster, has announced significant changes including the layoff of 160 employees and the merger of its Iraq channel. This restructuring aims to modernize operations and adapt to changing media landscapes.
Major Restructuring at Al-Hurra
Al-Hurra, the US government-funded Arabic-language broadcaster, has announced a significant restructuring of its operations. The network, which has been broadcasting since 2004, is implementing changes that will affect both its workforce and programming structure 1.
Layoffs and Staff Reductions
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the organization, Al-Hurra is laying off approximately 160 employees. This reduction in workforce represents a substantial change for the broadcaster, which has played a crucial role in providing news and information to Arabic-speaking audiences for nearly two decades 2.
Merger of Iraq Channel
As part of the restructuring, Al-Hurra has announced the merger of its Iraq-specific channel with its main Arabic service. This consolidation aims to streamline operations and potentially reach a broader audience across the Arab world 3.
Reasons Behind the Changes
The network cites the need to modernize its operations as a primary driver for these changes. Al-Hurra's management emphasizes that this restructuring is necessary to adapt to the evolving media landscape and changing audience preferences in the region 1.
Impact on Programming
While specific details about programming changes remain limited, the merger of the Iraq channel suggests a shift towards more centralized content creation. This move may lead to a broader, pan-Arab focus in Al-Hurra's coverage, potentially at the expense of some Iraq-specific programming 2.
Future of US-Funded Broadcasting in the Middle East
These changes at Al-Hurra raise questions about the future of US-funded broadcasting initiatives in the Middle East. As geopolitical dynamics shift and media consumption habits evolve, the role and effectiveness of such networks in promoting American perspectives and values in the region may be reassessed 3.
Reactions and Concerns
The announcement has sparked concerns among media watchdogs and employees alike. Critics worry about the potential impact on media diversity in the region, while affected staff face uncertainty about their professional futures. The move also prompts discussions about the changing nature of international broadcasting and its relevance in the digital age 1.
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