| MUMBAI:
The BBC Afrique radio service is celebrating the launch of BBC 90.2 FM in Bangui,
the capital of the Central African Republic. The
BBC is running a five-day training course for radio journalists in the Central
African Republic. Trainees will join the BBC production team working on the Central
African Republic Day on BBC Afrique on 24 April.
BBC World Service Head Of Business Development, Africa and Middle East Simon Kendall
says, "The new BBC FM service in Bangui is an exciting and important development
for BBC Afrique and improves our service to audiences who will now be able to
listen in crystal clear FM quality."
BBC Afrique Head Razvan Scortea says, "The new FM in Bangui helps us get
closer to audiences in the region, and we are looking forward to producing special
BBC output dedicated to the Central African Republic. Our mission is to go beyond
headlines and present a rounded picture of what life is actually like in this
vibrant but little known country." Central
African Republic Minister of State in charge of Communication Cyriaque Gonda says,
"A country can only open up truly to the world – for the sake of peace,
stability and sustainable development for its people – through a news organisation
with an undisputed reputation. The BBC is one such organisation which gives the
Central African Republic access to a global multi-lingual platform with an extensive
network." BBC
Afrique broadcasts about eight hours a day. Its three main news and current affairs
programmes, BBC Matin, BBC Midi and BBC Soir, focus on news in French-speaking
Africa and across the continent and the world. The
programmes are produced in the BBC's studios in London and in the bureaux in Abidjan,
Bujumbura, Kigali and Kinshasa. In
addition to its daily programmes, BBC Afrique takes a look at news and current
affairs in its weekly feature programmes: L'Interview, Africana, Britannia, L'Autre
Actualite, Sport Weekend and Afrique Hebdo. Interactivity
makes up a big part of the BBC Afrique output as audiences are invited to share
their views by SMS messages sent to programmes and via the Forum pages on bbcafrique.com.
On the
weekly programmes, Le Club BBC and Star Club, listeners can exchange views,
find friends or dedicate songs to friends and family. The
monthly programme, L'Afrique En Direct, encourages listeners to take part
in debates with specially-invited guests. | 
