Britain to Boost Funding for BBC Arabic Broadcasts

Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 9:15 pm (UTC-5)
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The British government says it will provide additional funds for BBC's Arabic-language broadcasts in recognition of its valuable work during recent uprisings in the Arab world.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said Wednesday that the BBC World Service would receive up to $3.5 million more per year to finance its Arabic-language programs. Hague said in a statement that it is right to assist the BBC Arabic Service to continue their valuable work in the region.

The announcement comes less than a year after the government made a 16 percent cut to the BBC World Service, forcing the international broadcaster to close several language services and cut hundreds of jobs.

The BBC has run its World Service in conjunction with Britain's Foreign Office. But under the country's new austerity measures, the BBC is expected to take over the full cost of running the World Service in 2014.