Friday, April 13, 2007

BBC launches two FM relays in Mauritania


The BBC has launched two 24-hour FM relays in Mauritania. BBC 106.9 FM in the capital, Nouakchott, and BBC 102.4 FM in the second largest city, Nouadhibou, now bring 24 hours a day of BBC Arabic programming to Mauritanian audiences. As part of the agreement, the BBC has also provided Radio Mauritania staff with a training programme in broadcast journalism. Reports by the journalists who took part in the training programme will feature in a special edition of BBC Arabic service’s daily magazine programme, BBC Xtra, which will be broadcast from Nouakchott tomorrow.

Mohamed Yehia Wild Hayee, Head of Mauritania Radio, said: “We already have a well-established and strong relationship with the BBC. These new FMs reinforce our partnership and also ensure that the Radio Mauritania staff get the opportunity to receive training in journalism and technology from a leader in international news such as the BBC. An agreement like this is another example of the further strengthening of the excellent relations between the UK and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.”
(Source: BBC World Service Publicity/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)