Arab States broadcasting union opens academy

Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) opened yesterday the academy for media training, aimed at developing the information sector in the ASBU member states. ASBU Chairman and Kuwaiti Information Ministry’s Undersecretary for Media Planning and Knowledge Development Mohammad AlAwwash, during the inauguration session, said establishing the academy was first proposed during the Arab media forum, hosted by Kuwait in 2015.

“Since then, the idea has developed into an integrated project designed to support Arab radio and television networks,” said Awwash. Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abulgheit noted the necessity of the academy for overhauling the Arab media, adding that it would contribute to cementing cooperation among various Arab media outlets and establishments. Abdulrahim Suleiman, the ASBU General Director, indicated that the academy would serve the purpose of intensifying training of personnel in the sector. The academy will include television and radio studios, training halls and production divisions.

Kuwait wins awards

In other news, Kuwait won several awards at the finale of the 18th Arab Festival for Radio and Television, organized by the ASBU. Kuwait won the first places in the best social drama and late night feature categories as well as the second places in the awareness and children programs categories. Kuwait Television (KTV) produced the programs.

On the occasion, ASBU Chairman and Kuwaiti Information Ministry’s Undersecretary for Media Planning and Knowledge Development Mohammad AlAwwashi lauded the Kuwaiti achievements, saying that the win by KTV was well deserved. He also told KUNA the Kuwaiti win contributed to the success of the current festival which saw the participation of 1,200 media personnel and was held under the slogan “Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as Capital of Arab Media for 2017.”

Meanwhile, KTV executives Yousef Al-Srraie and Saad Al-Findi both said in separate statements that the Kuwaiti win at the festival was a result of hard work and determination on part of all those involved in the participating media programs.

The two officials affirmed that Kuwait would continue to partake in upcoming editions of the Arab Festival for Radio and Television, stressing that this was part of the GCC country’s efforts to push for more excellence in the Arab media field.