Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Togo and China sign broadcasting agreement

Text of unattributed report entitled “Ni hao!” published by Togolese state-owned republic of Togo website on 18 July

Togolese authorities and officials of China Radio International and CCTV [China Central Television] over the weekend reached an agreement according to which these two Chinese state media will broadcast some of their programs on the airwaves of Radio Lome and TVT [Togolese Television]. They are yet to give the terms.

“This agreement illustrates the commitment of the Head of State to make Togo a country open to partners for the advancement of our people,” said Communications Minister Djimon Ore.

Zhou Weihua, the head of the Chinese delegation, explained that the partnership “will contribute to mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries and help to strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation between Togo and China”.

Besides broadcasting its content, the agreement also provides technical and material assistance for the modernization of the studios and administration of state-owned radio and TV stations.

China Radio International broadcasts its programmes in French on shortwave and on the Internet focused on Chinese and international news.

Created three years ago, CCTV-F is the French channel of China Central Television. The station’s programs are devoted to news in China, the economy, Chinese culture and international relations. Based in Beijing, it is, like RCI [Radio Canada International], a tool for selling the country abroad.

Using several satellites, CCTV-F is received directly or via cable and ADSL [Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line] packages around the world.

In addition to the French channel, CCTV broadcasts in English, Spanish, Arabic, and of course in Chinese, with about ten channels devoted to the economy, sports, culture and opera.
(Source: republicoftogo.com website, Lome, in French 18 Jul 10 via BBC Monitoring/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Lome no longer operates on shortwave, however live audio streaming in French is available at: http://www.radiolome.tg/