A Friend in Need

Abstract

This article examines recent initiatives taken by French governmental and commercial radio and TV services to aid in the development of broadcasting networks in Eastern Europe and to promote awareness of the French culture and language in those countries. With the opening of Eastern Europe's borders, the already bubbling cauldron of trans-border and direct satellite TV broadcasting initiatives in Western Europe has spilled over copiously. France, concerned about the future of is flagging TV production industry and enthusiastic about helping old friends maintain new-found freedoms, has been one of the most generous and quickest to respond. France has also been swift to fill the gap in radio broadcasting left in a number of Eastern European countries by the withdrawal of Soviet broadcasting by GostelRadio. recently announced a $5 million budget increase over three years to support TV and radio initiatives in broadcasting services and joint undertakings with Eastern European countries. The government of France has equipped all French cultural centers in Eastern Europe with satellite dish antennas, and plans to extend this endowment program to all Eastern European universities. In early May, June, and July, Canal France International, a state funded external program bank service which already rebroadcasts news and documentary programs from French public TV to some 30 African and Middle Eastern national stations four hours per day, will begin a similar