MOSCOW, May 4: An Arabic-language satellite news channel paid for by Russia went on air on Friday, becoming the latest front in a Kremlin drive to restore its Soviet-era influence in the Middle East.
Rusiya al-Yaum was set up by the same news agency that launched state-funded Russia Today channel in 2005 to deliver a Russian perspective on news to English-speaking audiences.
Top Russian officials say the world’s view of Russia is tarnished by biased reports by foreign journalists.
Analysts said the launch of the channel is aimed at extending Russia’s influence abroad.—Reuters
