Euronews speaks Arabic

With an Arabic service launched thanks to a European Union initiative, Euronews is endeavoring to create a successful image for itself on the television screen. The goal is to contribute in bridging the cultural gap between both sides of the Mediterranean.

Amina Khairy - Cairo, Eurojar

Euronews speaks a new language: it is broadcasting today in Arabic, and will soon go Turkish and Persian. Its goal is to become the leading international news TV channel. The main focus is to obtain a privileged place in the Middle East after the great success in Europe.

Launched one year ago, the diffusion of news on Euronews in Arabic language contributed in reinforcing relations between member countries of the European Union and the Arab world. This enhanced cultural exchange between both sides of the Mediterranean.

In December 2009, a partnership accord was signed between Euronews and Nilesat, the Egyptian satellite company, in an official ceremony held in Cairo. This ceremony was an opportunity for cultural exchange between Egyptian media people and Euronews Arabic team.

Philippe Cayla, Euronews’ President and CEO, explains that the launching of the Arabic feed is not limited to a mere diffusion in a new language; this step constitutes an efficient way to exchange ideas and points of views. With 21 different partners, Euronews cannot impose an agenda that serves the interests of one country to the detriment of the other. The Arabic service is entirely funded by the European Union. He goes on to say that the diffusion of Euronews in Arabic language in Europe helps Arab immigrants better understand European policies and missions in the region. This also helps increase the number of viewers of this channel in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa).

From his side, Head of the European Union delegation in Cairo, Marc Franco, explains that the world we live in is, despite its beauty, a complex environment, full of misunderstandings. This is why, according to him, news diffusion and exchange of information constitute a major role in society, on the condition that they are based on facts and do not seek to plant seeds of dissension.

The Arab facet
Ahmad Anis, Head of Nilesat, considers that the signature of the memorandum of cooperation is an important step towards the diffusion of Euronews in the Arab world. It also constitutes an occasion to consolidate Euro-Mediterranean relations. Head of the news sector at the Egyptian TV, Abd al-Latif al-Minawi, considers that cooperation between Euronews and its Egyptian partners will be fruitful because it reinforces mutual understanding between both sides of the Mediterranean. He underlines the importance of featuring an Arabic facet in the TV’s Arabic news programs.

In fact, this Arab facet will be reinforced in the near future. According to the Head of the Arabic news desk at Euronews, Riyad Maasaas, the Arabic news service, launched only recently, is in constant development. It will have correspondents in all Arab countries. Maassaas outlines the “big challenge that Euronews has to face, when Arab journalists have to work hand in hand with their colleagues from Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Russia, Portugal and Italy… However, integration seems harmonious.”

When asked about the difficulties faced within the Arabic news desk, where several Arab nationalities work together, he answers with a smile:”It is not the first time that journalists from different Arab backgrounds work together in a TV station. Indeed, problems might arise from time to time; however, enrichment resides in this diversity and in the fact that these people complement each others.” Talking about the editorial process, he explains that each journalist writes his article in conformity with the general pre-set editorial guidelines, and the adequate professional ethics.

Please or reassemble?
Cayla reiterates that despite the fact that several western channels speak today in Arabic and constitute potential competitors to Euronews Arabic news desk, he is confident of the primacy of Euronews service for the reasons mentioned previously; namely the plurality of its stakeholders. He adds: we are independent, our journalists are neutral: this is why we are different. We also hope that both Arab and European viewers be equally satisfied with the quality of our service.

But would Euronews’ goal be to please its viewers, or to build a bridge between different points of views and fill the gap that separates different nations? Cayla answers: we do not pretend to have a message to convey to our viewers, even if we stick to the principles prevailing in Europe, namely human rights, independence and professionalism. We are an independent channel, and we endeavor to remain objective as much as possible.

It is worth noting that Euronews broadcasts already in 8 languages: French, Spanish, English, German, Russian, Portuguese, Italian and Arabic. Turkish and Persian are next on the agenda, with hopes to be able to go Indian and Chinese in the future.