December 21, 2004

Dutch Parliament Gives 15 Million Euro to set up a Persian TV Station

The Dutch Parliament agreed with the proposal for allocating 15 million Euros to set up a television station, which would broadcast in Persian (Farsi) language.

Two political parties presented the proposal to the Dutch parliament last Thursday: The Green Party and the People?s Party for Freedom and Democracy.

Farah Karimi, an Iranian born member of Dutch parliament from the green party said, there is no political intention behind setting up this television station. In the absence of independent broadcasting media in Iran, she said, the aim of this station would be to help the dissemination of independent news to Iranian audiences and fill the existing vaccum in this area.

This is the first time that a European country is involved in establishing a Persian/Farsi television station on its own.

A group of Iranian journalists who have immigrated to Europe are going to work for this station.

Holland is now holding the rotating presidency of European Union.

The BBC, Deutche Welle, Radio France Internationale, as well as U.S. International broadcasting, all present radio programs for Iran. The Voice of America has in addition a daily television program.