Worried about the increased power and reach of state-owned broadcasters such as the Kremlin-backed Russia Today, it appears the BBC hopes to stem the trend of endless rounds of funding cuts by seeking government money to create a new channel to broadcast into Russia. It’s also proposing services aimed at reaching North Korea and to increase its penetration of the Arab world.
The rise of state-sponsored television channels, such as Russia Today, Qatar-owned Al Jazeera, Chinese-run CCTV and Turkey’s soon to be launched TRT World, has re-shaped the media landscape.
While audiences for these channels are difficult to gauge, one common thread …read more