MBN covers the nuclear deal with Iran
As the historic deal limiting Iran’s nuclear program was announced on April 2, audiences across the Middle East and North Africa could watch it unfold live on Alhurra Television. The network had live comprehensive coverage of the announcement, along with reaction and analysis of what it would mean for the region and the United States. An Alhurra correspondent was in Lausanne, Switzerland, to provide first-hand accounts of the scene when the “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action” restricting Iran’s nuclear program was unveiled.
Alhurra had live coverage, with Arabic translation, of the joint announcement that an agreement had been reached. The network also had live coverage of President Obama’s remarks and the comments made by Secretary John Kerry. Immediately following the announcement, Alhurra had reaction from the White House, Congress, Israeli and Saudi analysts. The television network also reported on President Obama’s conversations with Israeli and Saudi leaders about the agreement.
Following the announcement, Alhurra’s Free Hour hosted American, Iranian and Arab analysts to discuss the deal. Overall, the analysts described the framework as a positive step, but noted that the true test will be the June 30th deadline for the plan. Alhurra’s foreign policy discussion program, All Directions hosted American and Saudi experts who discussed the framework for the deal with Iran, including the implications, consequences and selling points of the agreement. Alhurra’s newscasts throughout the evening recapped what was included in the framework, as well as reaction from France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran.
Radio Sawa’s coverage included live coverage of Sec. Kerry and President Obama’s remarks announcing the deal. Radio Sawa also had reaction from Syria, Israel, Egypt and Iran; as well as a report on what the framework of the deal means for the U.S.’s relationship with Israel.
Pan-Arab television networks in the region had mixed coverage of the historic event. In unprecedented coverage, Iranian State Television and Hezbollah’s Al Manar carried the announcement speech and President Obama’s live remarks in their entirety. However, Al Jazeera did not take any part of the announcement or remarks live and had only limited coverage of the deal. Al Arabiya had live coverage, but no analysis following the speeches.