Expanding Horizons by Broadcasting the Global Picture in its Undiluted Form

Fern Sidman, thejewishvoice.com

Image from article, with caption: With a palpable enthusiasm reverberating in this voice, Mr. Frank Melloul, CEO of i24 News (pictured above) graciously shared the genesis of the meteoric rise of the cable new channel as well as its profound impact on the world’s perception of Israel, the Middle East and the international Jewish community for the Jewish Voice.

An Interview with Frank Melloul, CEO

Excerpt:

“In this tenuous age of the proliferation of “fake news” dominating the headlines, we are very excited to begin our second year; bringing our burgeoning audience of viewers news coverage that presents a unbiased picture of national and global events,” declared Frank Melloul, the CEO of the i24 News cable channel. ...

In 2012, Mr. Melloul, a distinguished French diplomat and media advisor was approached by Franco-Israeli communications mogul, Patrick Drahi about a disturbing and recurrent theme that he took notice of in terms of media coverage of Israel and the Middle East.

“He (Drahi) was in Israel in November of 2012 during Operation Pillar of Defense; the war against the Iranian backed Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Along with the majority of Israelis, he was forced to flee to bomb shelters when Hamas rockets came over the border. On television channels throughout the world, all any one saw was Israel portrayed as the sadistic aggressor but no one showed Israelis under the stress of war and taking up shelter. And it was this that prompted Patrick to start thinking about alternative news coverage, “ said Mr. Melloul.

Having played a prominent role in the team that launched the rock-the-clock Paris-based news channel France 24, it came as no surprise to media industry insiders that Drahi had tapped Melloul for his assistance. ... 

Melloul recalls that in October of 2012, Drahi contacted him about creating an untainted and objective media outlet in Israel; sans government funding or political influence. Aware of Melloul’s specialty in public diplomacy, Drahi told him, “With your extensive knowledge on how to build an ultra successful international news platform that can send ripple effects around the globe and my ability to build an effective business, I am confident that if we put our respective expertise together we can turn this dream into a reality.”...