Manama: A Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) radio on Tuesday started broadcasting from Bahrain after the GCC information ministers formally endorsed the project.
“This is the Arabian Gulf will be broadcasting on a trial basis amid continuous assessments,” Ali Al Rumaihi, the president of the Information Affairs Authority (IAA) said following the meeting of the ministers.
“The first phase until mid-November will feature songs from each of the GCC member countries and songs promoting Gulf unity as well as general information. Phase Two will be until the end of the year and will also include cultural, artistic, history and social programmes from each of the member countries. There will be close coordination of efforts to broadcast the national celebrations of the member countries as well.”
The third phase will start in January and will include live programmes presented by broadcasters from the member countries, Al Rumaihi said.
The first assessment of the radio will be carried out in December when a technical committee holds a meeting in Kuwait.
The GCC, established in 1981, includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
