Iranian Provincial TV Reports on International Radio Festival in Esfahan

Excerpt from report by Iranian state-run provincial TV from Esfahan on 20 May

[Presenter] The ninth international radio festival began its work in Esfahan today under the title: Radio, the voice of cultures.

[Correspondent Soheilpur; identified by caption] The ninth radio festival and its first international gathering opened in Esfahan today. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, the secretary-general of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, ABU, David Astley, said that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Voice and Vision [Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, IRIB] is the leading media [company] in western Asia.

David Astley said radio has a major influence on society and is a significant and vital medium.

Speaking at the same ceremony, the deputy head of the IRIB for radio affairs, Hasan Khojasteh, said radio was presented as a valid medium and its challenges would be reviewed at the festival.

Hasan Khojasteh said that 16 national radio channels and 40 provincial and city [radio] networks were currently active within the IRIB. Moreover, three radio networks focusing on financial news, drama, and family affairs are about to become operational.

The role of radio in global peace and [few words indistinct] in the future, are among the most important topics for experts meetings in this international festival.

[Passage omitted: repeat of Esfahan TV report on 15 May, saying how many countries are taking part.]

Originally published by Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Esfahan Provincial TV, Esfahan, in Persian 1200 20 May 08.

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