United States Agency for Global Media

MBN image

alhurra and radio sawa

Middle East Broadcasting Networks

MBN is an Arabic-language news organization with a weekly audience of 27.4 million people in 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Freedom House deemed 21 of these countries to be “not free” or “partly free” in 2018. MBN networks expand the spectrum of ideas, opinions and perspectives in the region and engaging audiences to share perspectives.

MBN consists of two television networks (Alhurra and Alhurra-Iraq); Sawa radio; Alhurra.com; RadioSawa.com; Irfaasawtak.com; MaghrebVoices.com; ElSaha.com and various social media platforms. The networks broadcast news and information from their headquarters in Northern Virginia, along with bureaus and production centers in Cairo, Dubai, Jerusalem, Beirut, Erbil, Rabat, Tunis, and Washington, D.C. MBN also has correspondents throughout the Middle East and North Africa. MBN’s networks provide an undistorted line of communication with the people of the Middle East and North Africa.

Alhurra and Alhurra-Iraq are 24/7 Arabic-language television networks that provide news and analysis to more than 19.9 million viewers each week. Its in-depth discussion programs provide points of view from throughout the region and the U.S.

Sawa radio has two dedicated streams, one to Iraq and the other to Sudan. It is available via FM in those countries and broadcasts a wide range of newscasts, discussion programs and call-in shows daily on each stream.

Tackling topics not found in other media outlets, Alhurra and Sawa radio are connecting with Arab audiences. They are regularly cited for their trustworthy news and have been recognized with numerous awards for their on-air content.

MBN Digital provides original reporting and interactive posts on Facebook and integration within on-air broadcasts. Primetime newscasts and current affairs programs incorporate social media into their daily lineups.

Together, these networks deliver accurate and objective information on the region, American policies and Americana with a broad range of perspectives and an open dialogue on issues of importance to the audience.

MBN operates under a grant from USAGM.

Recent Press Releases

MBN’s “More Than a Game” wins Silver

“More Than a Game,” one of MBN’s newest podcasts, took home silver for its revealing look at external influences on FIFA and the world of soccer at the second annual Signal Awards.

Egyptian trendsetters bring their popular content exclusively to El Saha

The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN) is partnering with prominent Egyptian social media influencers, who will post their content on the MBN Egypt-centric digital platform El Saha. Aya Shoaib and Hady Bassiony will each bring a heightened version of their popular digital programs to El Saha’s Facebook page for an exclusive limited series.

MBN mourns the death of former Vice President and CTO Mike Marno

The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN) announced the death of former Vice President and CTO Michael (Mike) Marno. Mr. Marno, 61, passed away on June 12, 2023, in Georgia due to cardiac arrest.

Recent Awards

“I have your number with me. Radio Sawa is the only station that allows me to talk to people. It makes people listen to me.”

Radio Sawa Iraq's "What's Your Opinion?" caller