SPRINGFIELD, Va., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A new U.S.-funded Arabic-language satellite television network began broadcasting to the Middle East Saturday, the Voice of America reported.
The network, named Alhurra, which means "the free one" in Arabic, is targeted to viewers viewers in 22 countries.
The service will carry news and information about international and regional developments, according to the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors. Alhurra will also broadcast features and discussion programs on current events and other topics of interest.
BBG Chairman Kenneth Tomlinson told the Voice of America the broadcasts will be operating in a media market "dominated by sensationalism and distortion."
The BBG is a federal agency that supervises all U.S. non-military broadcasts, including the Voice of America.
Alhurra will begin operations with 14 hours of programming each day, but is expected to expand to 24 hours within weeks. It will broadcast from studios in Springfield, Virginia, near Washington D.C., and from bureaus in the Middle East. It will be available to viewers on the region's two major satellite systems: Arabsat and Nilesat.
