Saudi shows new face to world

Ikhbariya, inaugurated Sunday, will broadcast in Arabic for 12 hours a day before moving to round-the-clock programing, director Mohammad Barayan told Reuters.

Critics say the kingdom fueled militancy by promoting anti-Western sentiment in schools, giving radical clerics a platform and failing to stem the flow of funds to extremists, charges denied by officials who say they have cracked down on militants.

Barayan said the state-owned channel would correct false perceptions, including some about the role of Saudi women.

Breaking new ground in the deeply conservative Muslim kingdom, Sunday's opening news bulletin was delivered by female announcer Buthaina al-Nasr, dressed modestly in a black head scarf and white jacket.

"Some of the things they say about women in our country aren't right. This channel will have women reading the news and will also discuss social issues related to women," he said.

Source: Reuters