Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., April 01, 2008 Adar2 26, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:27 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 15:00 01/04/2008 PMO to bear financial cost of Israel Radio's Farsi broadcasts By Asaf Carmel, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel Radio  The Prime Minister's Office will assume responsibility for financing Israel Radio's Farsi (Persian) broadcasts, at an annual cost of NIS 3.6 million, according to an agreement reached recently between the office and the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA). Under the agreement, the Prime Minister's Office will cover the cost of refurbishing and maintaining the broadcasting facilities, which represents the bulk of the project's costs. However, the IBA will continue to provide the station's personnel. Farsi is the official language of Iran, and is spoken by an estimated 134 million people worldwide. Advertisement IBA officials insisted that despite the government funding, the Farsi broadcasts will not be propagandist in nature, and the Prime Minister's Office will have no influence on the broadcasts' content. The Farsi broadcasts had been in danger because Israel Radio intends to stop all its short-wave broadcasts as of today, due to the poor condition of its transmitters. The IBA does not want to invest in repairs because of its terrible financial situation. Thus the broadcasts, which are run in several foreign languages and are intended primarily for Jews abroad, are scheduled to switch to the Internet. Several months ago, MK Avigdor Lieberman, who was then minister of strategic threats, formulated a proposal to replace the short-wave broadcasts with a comprehensive Israeli broadcast network that would include an informational television station, a radio station and an Internet site. The program would cost an estimated NIS 20-30 million to set up and a similar sum annually for ongoing operations. However, the proposal has thus far not gotten off the ground, and in the meantime, the Prime Minister's Office is apparently interested in at least having Israel Radio continue its Farsi broadcasts in the short-wave format, rather than just on the Internet. IBA executives agreed, but announced that they were unable to finance the project. The Prime Minister's Office therefore agreed to bear the burden. "The Prime Minister's Office feels it is important that there be a broadcaster in Iran that is objective, and not just government and Al-Qaida broadcasters," IBA Chairman Moshe Gavish explained on Sunday. "I think they are right." The Prime Minister's Office added: "The Farsi broadcasts have been going on for years, and Israel sees reason to continue them. The possibility existed that these broadcasts would end due to lack of funding. Following the intervention of Isaac Herzog, the minister responsible for overseeing implementation of the Broadcasting Authority Law, and Cabinet Secretary Oved Yehezkel, both of whom deemed the continuation of the broadcasts important, an earmarked budget was obtained and the broadcasts' continuation was assured." Asked whether it will be involved in the content of the broadcasts, the Prime Minister's Office responded: "No. The broadcasts will remain in their current format." Related articles: Lieberman in Farsi interview: Sanctions best option on Iran Abbas' sons sue Channel 1 for reporting they own cellphone company Channel 1 won't finance Gitai's new film due to his left-wing politics Bookmark to del.icio.us   The gift of dignity T.A. charity provides female drug addicts with shower, meal and counseling. Sign of life Hamas leader says Gilad Shalit is still alive after two years in captivity.   1.   PLENTY of Real Iranians support Israel,hate the Mullahs or both 10:08  |  PETER SM 01/04/08   2.   RE: 1, Peter SM 11:35  |  Sadiq M 01/04/08   3.   SADIQ ITS IRAN"S Dictators talking about ruling the world 16:20  |  PETER SM 01/04/08   4.   SADIQ ITS IRAN"S Dictators talking about ruling the world 16:20  |  PETER SM 01/04/08   5.   SADIQ ITS IRAN"S Dictators talking about ruling the world 16:20  |  PETER SM 01/04/08   6.   I`m waiting for the moment when the iranian 17:01  |  Kris Lazar 01/04/08

Today Online Hamas TV puppet 'kills' Bush as revenge for U.S., Israeli actions Responses: 203 Editorial: Israel's settlement policy is one of deception Responses: 100 Barak heeds Rice, softens stance on PA running Gaza crossings Responses: 54 'If rabbis won't marry interfaith couples, they should send them to someone who will' Responses: 25 Rosner's Domain Clinton and Obama voters support Israel in similar numbers Guest: Rabbis who don't officiate intermarriage should refer to rabbis who do Poll: What percentage of Jews will vote McCain? 38% for pressuring Palestinians, 25% for pressuring Israel (WTR) More Headlines 16:33 Barak: Gaza crossings may open if violence stops 20:18 WHO: Israel turning away sick Gazans, who die in 'avoidable tragedies' 19:27 Benizri: I've been persecuted for 8 years for no fault of my own 20:05 Fischer: Israel's growth to slow in 2008 due to global slump 16:55 Two civilians lightly hurt in mortar attack on Negev kibbutz 19:47 Falafel oil provides power for T.A. 'Earth Hour' concert 16:42 Facebook, Google founders to attend Jerusalem conference in May 16:38 Yesha Chief Rabbi: Giving arms to the PA is against Jewish law 18:40 Reputed crime family member denies 2004 teen murder 17:31 Police arrest Netivot mother suspected of raping two sons 16:40 Revealing God's female voice 15:29 Shortage of prison cells hampers PA law and order campaign Previous Editions Select Day 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar

Special Offers Advertisement Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Behind the Z Word Scholarly essays, commentary, podcasts, blogs and much more. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates Pardes Institute Summer Sessions Study Jewish texts and issues in Jerusalem, Co-ed, All Levels FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved