Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MANAMA227
2005-02-16 14:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

INFORMATION MINISTER SEEKS U.S. ASSISTANCE

Tags:  PREL KMPI ECPS OIIP BA 
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UNCLAS MANAMA 000227 

SIPDIS

NEA/PI AROMANOWSKI; IIP/G/NEA RWINCHESTER; NEA/PPD MQUINN
AND CWHITTLESEY; NEA/ARP DBERNS; R

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KMPI ECPS OIIP BA
SUBJECT: INFORMATION MINISTER SEEKS U.S. ASSISTANCE

REF: 2/16/05 MONROE/ROMANOWSKI TELCON

UNCLAS MANAMA 000227

SIPDIS

NEA/PI AROMANOWSKI; IIP/G/NEA RWINCHESTER; NEA/PPD MQUINN
AND CWHITTLESEY; NEA/ARP DBERNS; R

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KMPI ECPS OIIP BA
SUBJECT: INFORMATION MINISTER SEEKS U.S. ASSISTANCE

REF: 2/16/05 MONROE/ROMANOWSKI TELCON


1. This is an action cable. Please see paragraph 4.


2. Newly appointed Minister of Information and Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar,
requested USG assistance to professionalize Bahrain
Satellite Television during a February 10 meeting with the
Ambassador. Dr. Abdul Ghaffar asked us to identify an
American media organization or consultants who would serve
as in-house advisors on management, programming, technology,
and set design at the Bahrain Satellite Television Channel,
the Kingdom's only government-owned and operated satellite
television outlet. The Minister emphasized the importance
of improving television news services in the Arab world.


3. The Ambassador briefed the Minister on MEPI-funded media
training programs which are currently active in Bahrain.
The Minister requested additional support from MEPI in
improving Bahrain Satellite Television.


4. ACTION REQUEST: Post requests information on media
organizations and/or implementers that could advise the
Ministry of Information on management, programming,
technology, and set design at the Bahrain Satellite
Television Channel. The Minister would like the
implementer to provide a comprehensive plan on the steps
needed to improve Bahrain Television, and the timeframe
expected to complete the project. They are looking for an
experienced implementer that could walk them through all of
the necessary steps, beginning with a baseline assessment.
The implementer would be expected to develop a detailed plan
on how to improve the quality of broadcasting, including
staffing, training and equipment recommendations.


5. Per reftelcon, an early March visit by NEA/PI Romanowski
would provide an excellent opportunity to explore how best
to move forward.

Monroe