International Desk: Friday (January 27) was the last broadcast of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s Arabic language program (BBC Arabic Radio). After that no more programs of this radio channel will be heard. 85 years long journey stopped. This information was given in a report of Al-Jazeera.
According to the report, the BBC is closing various programs around the world to cut costs. As a result, radio broadcasts in Arabic have largely stopped. Broadcasters will now emphasize on digital services.
The BBC World Service announced last September that it would stop broadcasting in Arabic. In the announcement not only Arabic, the BBC announced the closure of radio in a total of 10 languages including Bengali, Hindi, Chinese, Persian.
The corporation said at the time, it was a ‘difficult decision to take’ in the face of the combined pressure of high inflation and rising costs. However, BBC TV broadcasts in both Arabic and Farsi will continue instead of radio broadcasts.
Investments will be made to increase audio and other digital capabilities in Arabic and Farsi. BBC Arabic Radio launched in Egypt on 3 January 1938.
The former head of the organization, Hossam El Sokari, said that BBC Arabic Radio’s services have changed the lives of many people in remote areas. They can listen to news using small and relatively cheap devices. Now they probably have to pay more to get the BBC service.
Earlier, the 81-year journey of BBC Bangla Radio ended on December 31. On that day, the news and current affairs programs ‘Prabaha’ and ‘Parikrama’ were aired for the last time on BBC Radio at 7:30 PM and 10:30 PM. Through this, the broadcasting of the radio, which has been the center of interest of the people of Bengal for a long time, stopped.
