Russia launches Arabic channel

MOSCOW: An Arabic-language satellite news channel paid for by Russia went on air on Friday, becoming the latest front in a Kremlin drive to restore its Soviet-era influence in the Middle East. Rusiya Al-Yaum was set up by the same news agency that launched state-funded Russia Today channel in 2005 to deliver a Russian perspective on news to English-speaking audiences. Top Russian officials say the world s view of Russia is tarnished by biased reports by foreign journalists. We will be able, as much as possible, to inform Arabic viewers about what s happening in Russia and, most importantly, to convey to them Russia s viewpoint on the issues around … Russia and abroad, Rusiya Al-Yaum s editor-in-chief, Evgeny Sidorov, told Reuters. [It is] objective in the sense that it is first-hand, that is we broadcast this information directly out of Russia. Analysts said the launch of the channel, which according to its creators will reach up to 350 million viewers in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, is aimed at extending Russia s influence abroad. Russia wants to build … a system of influence in the Arab region, political analyst Alexei Makarkin said. There are interests in Iraq where Russia is keen to preserve the contracts signed under Saddam Hussein … and to remain effective sponsors of the Middle East peace process. Vladimir Putin has been trying to restore Russia s standing in the region. Russian NTV channel showed President Vladimir Putin on Friday telling Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak about the launch of the Arabic channel in a telephone birthday message.