Home / Al Hurra parent company lays off 100 staff

Al Hurra parent company lays off 100 staff

by Digital Production Middle East Staff on Oct 13, 2009

6 Comments

Joaquin Blaya, Governor, US Broadcasting Board of Governors.

Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MEBN), the company behind the Arabic language Al Hurra channel, has laid off almost 100 staff from it US based operations, according to reports in the Washington media.

The government funded operation has cancelled its contract with Team Broadcast Services, which had been providing staff in various production and post-production roles.

“I would anticipate most, if not all will have some opportunity to apply for jobs with them [MEBN],” said Ernie Crow, president of Team Broadcast Services.

Earlier this year Al Hurra launched one of its most ambitious productions to date Al Youm, which connects four locations across the Middle East with the MEBN headquarters in Virginia, US.

The channel enjoyed annual growth in viewership of more than 20 percent since its launch in 2005 according to Joaquin Blaya, Governor of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which funds MEBN.

FEATURED COMMENT

I do not like al-Hurra also i can not imagine that there is a Pro stuff there

6 Comments

Readers' Comments

omar (Oct 14, 2009)
Beirut,
Lebanon

i do not like al-Hurra
I do not like al-Hurra also i can not imagine that there is a Pro stuff there

Taleb Kibati (Oct 14, 2009)
SFO
USA

Intentions and result.
Isn't it said the results are according to the intentions? Al Hurra was born with less then honorable intentions. No I don't mean official US policy. There is nothing wrong with the US trying to engage Arab speaking publics with its own TV channel. If anything, it's commendable. I don't understand people who cry out propaganda! Propaganda is not necessarily bad. Let's all wish all wars in the world are fought by propaganda only. Who was ever harmed by the 'propaganda' of the Voice of America. Did you ever hear an Arab who hates Voice of America? Did you ever hear curses for Radio Sawa? The problem with Al Hurra was that it was conceived as a money-making mechanism. This project would have served the purpose of its funders if only its conceivers and executers had the slightest of sincerity toward the US government and the people of America. Al Hurra duped the US and give it nothing in return. First and foremost, Al Hurra harmed American interests. It's quite natural that it made no impact on the region's audience.

Abdullah (Oct 14, 2009)
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

It's not racism
How unfortunate Anthony's comments are and how easy it is for him to be accusatory from his safe little haven in Australia. I ask you this question Anthony - should Arabs not have the same choice as Westerners about where they receive their news? Isn't the failure of Al Hurra a simple case of democracy in action? If America really wants to improve its standing in this region it could do a lot more than simply operate a pro-Western news channel. It could remove itself from the political landscape and take its troops with it. And by the way Anthony, you and YOUR kind can leave with them.

Alan (Oct 14, 2009)

Al Hurra and it's failure
Anthony, I can't see where the "racist" comments are in Jake's comment. A quick reminder: Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo ... now that's racist. Even Obama thinks Bush and Cheney's ideology is right wing and has thrown the U.S into a war they can't get out of anytime soon. Check your facts Anthony. Your all the way at the end of the world, you have no right to comment about something your living through day in, day out.

Anthony Reid (Oct 13, 2009)
Melbourne
Australia

Al Hurra
Jake more racist Arab commentary like yours is why nothing changes in the Middle East at least the Al Hurra was trying to bridge the gap you and your type keep making wider

Jake (Oct 13, 2009)
Beirut
Lebanon

Al Hurra is irrelevant
Al Hurra is irrelevant and a throwback to the right-wing ideals of Bush Jr, Cheney & Co. It has no place in the current political landscape nor in the Middle East. Bye, bye.

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