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Israel's 800,000 French speakers are a coveted target audience, and DBS Satellite Services (1998) Ltd. (YES) and HOT Telecommunication Systems Ltd. (TASE: HOT) already provide several French language stations, and French newspapers and magazines are readily available. Shows by French performers draw large audiences. Radio France Internationale (RFI) has launched local cable and satellite service aimed at this audience.
RFI CEO Genevieve Goetzinger arrived in Israel for the station's launch. She told "Globes" that the decision was strategic, not commercial. "This is a very interesting region in terms of news, and as a radio station that covers international issues, we had to broadcast in Israel. Our objective is for a quarter of French speakers in Israel to listen to us regularly within two years. We want to be the first station on list of people searching for quality international coverage in French."
RFI's launch in Israel will be reinforced by its merger with the popular TV station France 24, which is aired in Israel. Both companies are government owned, and their merger will create an especially strong media group that will be able to expand its global reach and influence.
"Globes": Will your entry into Israel expand your coverage of the Middle East?
Goetzinger: "Not really. We've always covered the region intensively, and the station has had a desk in Jerusalem for years. I think that there is already sufficient coverage of the region."
What is the difference between you and the other French media accessible to the Israeli audience?
"We provide France's view of the world. This isn't the English or the American view, and it definitely isn't the Arab view. We offer a different take, very balanced and very open to different opinions. One of the things that we make sure to have is contrasting views on various topics, offering a great many perspectives during the show. We also do not ignore topics and we cover almost every subject of international importance. We also provide intensive coverage of international economics, politics, culture, and sports."
Israelis are anxious about this so-called balance. A widespread claim asserts that much of the international media's perspective is pro-Palestinian.
"I do not think that these claims apply to us. We scrupulously keep a balance, and after we air the facts, there are several different opinions and perspectives about the reality. We treat this region just like every other place we cover in the world. We of course have no preference or wish to take sides. We're a fair radio station."
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