MOSAIC: World News from the Middle East to feature unedited, translated broadcasts. For the first time, Americans will have access to diverse television newscasts from throughout the Middle East.
November 30, 2001 - Beginning on Monday, December 10, Link TV will broadcast its new daily series MOSAIC: World News from the Middle East at 11:00pm EST / 8:00pm PST.
MOSAIC: World News from the Middle East will feature TV news programs from national broadcasters including Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Palestine, Iraq and Syria, with other networks in the region to be added in the weeks to come. The newscasts will be presented unedited and translated into English.
MOSAIC: World News from the Middle East will air as a free service on the Link TV satellite channel, available on DIRECTV and DISH Network, and will be made available to public television stations nationally.
The series will be presented as part of WorldLink's "Global Perspectives" programming block, which also includes regular coverage of the United Nations, as well as news reports and documentaries from diverse international sources.
The daily series is being launched with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which advances journalism excellence worldwide and invests in the vitality of 26 U.S. communities.
"MOSAIC: World News from the Middle East gives American audiences unprecedented access to the political realities of a region we have suddenly woken up to," said Kim Spencer, President of Link Media, the non-profit consortium that operates Link TV at its San Francisco studios. "MOSAIC offers viewers a window on the political reality to which we have suddenly awakened."
"What are people saying on the local nightly news in the region of the world where America is striking back against terrorism?" said Eric Newton, the Knight Foundation's Director of Journalism Initiatives. "This innovative series gives us all a way to find out."
"For decades, Americans have had limited access to Arabic opinion and thought, and no access to original Arabic programming," said Jamal Dajani, WorldLink's Director of Arabic Programming. "For many, short clips of Al-Jazeera on CNN, accompanied by American commentary, are the only exposure they've had to news from the Middle East. MOSIAC allows viewers to see and hear Arabic news in its own original and intended context."
Link TV, the only national broadcaster in the United States devoted to global perspectives, provides a rich mix of news and public affairs programming, documentaries on human rights, sustainable development and the environment, as well as foreign feature films and the best music from diverse cultures around the world. Most of these programs have never been shown on American television.
The 24-hour network is now available in 17 million homes receiving DIRECTV
(channel 375) and EchoStar DISH Network (channel 9410). For the past 18 months,
Link has presented a series of documentaries from the Middle East, with special
reports on conflict in the region and the need for understanding differing perspectives.
PLEASE NOTE: Press kit and clip reel are available upon request. Kim Spencer, President of Link Media, is available for interviews. Contact Jenny Murphy at (202) 822-5200 x228 to request more information.
