From the Middle East to London and back: Bloomberg host’s journey as a news anchor bridging cultures

From the Middle East to London and back: Bloomberg host’s journey as a news anchor bridging cultures
As the new host of Bloomberg’s ‘Horizons Middle East and Africa,’ Joumana Bercetche aims to tell the story of the Arab world to the West. (Supplied)
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Updated 30 September 2024
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From the Middle East to London and back: Bloomberg host’s journey as a news anchor bridging cultures

From the Middle East to London and back: Bloomberg host’s journey as a news anchor bridging cultures
  • Joumana Bercetche tells Arab News how she went from successful banker to one of the leading Arab voices in international media

DUBAI: Joumana Bercetche’s career as a news anchor is about more than just presenting financial headlines, it is about telling the story of the Arab world to the West.

As the new host of Bloomberg’s “Horizons Middle East and Africa,” Bercetche has become one of the leading voices of the region in the international media.

Her job goes beyond covering markets and geopolitical events; it is also about breaking down complex narratives and fostering understanding between two distinct cultures.

“I see my role as two-fold: I am a host that covers economic and geopolitical issues but I am also a storyteller and I have a real opportunity to tell stories from the region,” she told Arab News.

“There is so much energy in this part of the world. The fact that I can speak and connect to people in Arabic makes them at ease and feel more comfortable to speak to me.”

Born in the UK and raised in Lebanon, Bercetche’s deep ties to both the Arab world and the West have helped her navigate the complexities of explaining the Middle East on a global stage.

After earning a degree in Economics from the American University of Beirut, she spent more than a decade working in London’s financial sector, at institutions such as Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch, before switching careers to pursue journalism in 2017.

“I enjoyed what I was doing in banking but I felt too boxed in playing a certain role. I felt I had more ability of going broader in the topics I was interested in,” Bercetche said.

In 2016, therefore, she began to think about other opportunities that might suit her skill set.

“I asked myself, what would I like to do? I am interested in markets, I am curious, I like to chat with people and I like to communicate. But being a broadcast journalist wasn’t necessarily the path I was thinking of pursuing.”

In fact, her foray into journalism came about by chance. After creating research videos for former employer Citigroup, her work caught the eye of someone in the media industry who asked if she had ever considered a career in broadcast journalism.

“I decided to give it a try,” Bercetche said. “Changing paths and careers requires a leap of faith. I was excited but anxious as well. I thought, ‘What if I don’t become successful? What if this isn’t the right move to make?’ But then, in the worst case I could always go back to my banking job, so I took my leap of faith.”

The leap paid off. After working as a CNBC anchor in London, Bercetche joined Bloomberg in Dubai in February this year and is now one of the few Arab women who hold prominent positions in the international business media.

As a show host on a channel that reaches more than 400 million households worldwide, she views her role as a unique chance to share stories about the rapid transformations in the region, particularly as countries such as the Saudi Arabia and the UAE pursue bold development initiatives.

“You get the sense that something is being built,” Bercetche said. “You have Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, you have the UAE and other neighboring countries also working on their own visions, you walk around and see all this construction — there is excitement in the air.”

Moving from London to Dubai was another significant life decision but Bercetche feels a deep connection with the region and its future.

“There is a sense that it’s a period of development,” she said. “You can see the transformative impact of the high-level decision-makers.”

Despite her success, the transition to such a high-profile career was not without its challenges, and as a TV anchor she said she has learned to develop “a thick skin” when dealing with public scrutiny.

“If someone is criticizing you, consider the source,” she said. “Is it coming from someone you respect? Is it constructive? If the answer is yes, then take it on.

“If it’s being directed indiscriminately from someone who’s lashing out at you from some unknown profile online, ignore it.”

Bercetche is a strong advocate for the role of women in media, particularly in terms of balancing a career with family life. While she acknowledges the support she has received from female bosses throughout her career, she admits that juggling her job as a news anchor with motherhood has been her greatest challenge.

“Becoming a mother has been the biggest gift to me,” she said. “There is a lot of pressure on working parents to find the right balance between home and work life.

While she dedicates most of her time to her young children, she especially takes advantage of any extra time she gets from finishing early on some days. “It’s always a balancing act; it’s not easy. You never fully get over the guilt, you just park it,” she said.

Reflecting on the milestones in her career so far, Bercetche said that success is a moving target, depending on the phase of one’s life.

“Starting my career in London was an experience in itself,” she added. “As for my journalism career, I am proud of what we’ve done, collectively as a team, in such a short period of time so far. A milestone’s a moving target.”

Her advice to aspiring journalists is simple: “Work hard. You have to be curious and remember the most useful question to ask: ‘Why?’

“Try to get to the bottom of the facts and get a convincing answer. Learn from your mistakes. Nobody’s flawless but it’s how you respond to the mistakes that will determine the success and longevity of your career. Be patient; things happen in due time.”


Spotify to raise premium subscription price in MENA, other select markets from September

Spotify to raise premium subscription price in MENA, other select markets from September
Updated 04 August 2025
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Spotify to raise premium subscription price in MENA, other select markets from September

Spotify to raise premium subscription price in MENA, other select markets from September
  • Subscription price will rise to 11.99 euros per month

LONDON: Spotify said on Monday it would increase monthly price of its premium individual subscription in select markets from September, including the Middle East, as the Swedish streaming giant looks to improve margins.

The company’s shares jumped nearly 8 percent. They have gained about 40 percent so far this year.

As well as the Middle East, the subscription price will rise to 11.99 euros ($13.86) per month from 10.99 euros in markets including South Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.

Spotify said subscribers will receive an email explaining the price rise over the next month.

Price increases in the past, combined with cost-cutting efforts in recent years, have helped it to achieve its first annual profit for 2024.

The company saw an increase in monthly active users and premium subscribers during the second quarter, while higher taxes related to employee salaries led it to post a loss during the period and weighed on its third-quarter profit forecast.

Spotify has been expanding its library of video content to attract subscribers, including through its partner program, which is designed to help podcast creators by offering them monetization options.

A growing number of creators are joining the Spotify Partner Program, resulting in a significant increase in video content on the platform, CEO Daniel Ek had earlier told Reuters.

The streaming company is also benefiting from Apple’s approval of its US app update to show subscription prices and external payment links, after a judge barred the iPhone maker from charging commission on off-app purchases.

Ek said this change has led to “a very positive uptick” in the US If similar rules are adopted in Europe and the UK, it would benefit both Spotify and other app developers.


Over 100 journalists call for foreign media access to Gaza as pressure on Israel mounts

Over 100 journalists call for foreign media access to Gaza as pressure on Israel mounts
Updated 04 August 2025
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Over 100 journalists call for foreign media access to Gaza as pressure on Israel mounts

Over 100 journalists call for foreign media access to Gaza as pressure on Israel mounts
  • Petition of Freedom to Report initiative says if ‘belligerent parties’ ignore demands, media professionals will attempt to enter Gaza without consent

LONDON: More than 100 prominent journalists have called for “immediate and unsupervised foreign press access to the Gaza Strip,” adding to mounting pressure on Israel to lift its blockade on the territory, where Tel Aviv also faces charges of war crimes and genocide.

The petition has been launched under the Freedom to Report initiative which advocates for protecting journalists and upholding press independence globally.

The signatories include Sky News special correspondent Alex Crawford, broadcaster Mehdi Hasan, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour and Clarissa Ward, and legendary war photographer Don McCullin.

“This is not only about Gaza. It is about defending the universal right to independent, on-the-ground reporting in conflict zones everywhere,” read the statement published on Monday.

“Gaza is the most urgent case, but it is not the only one. It reflects the gravest pattern of silencing journalists and restricting the press. If the democratic world truly intends to push back against this erosion of freedom, it must not turn a blind eye to Gaza.”

With Israel continuing to deny international media access, global coverage has relied almost exclusively on Gaza-based Palestinian journalists. They have worked for nearly 22 months under extreme conditions, facing shortages of food, water, electricity, and internet access, and daily risks to their lives.

Israel has so far resisted calls from human rights groups and media organizations to allow entry to foreign reporters.

But the pressure has intensified in recent weeks amid growing international concern over what UN agencies and humanitarian experts have described as a “man-made famine” caused by the Israeli blockade on aid.

Last month, major international news agencies — including AFP, The Associated Press, Reuters, and the BBC — issued a joint statement calling for a humanitarian corridor to evacuate their local teams, some of whom were struggling to find enough food to survive.

Since Israel’s latest war on Gaza began, nearly 200 journalists have been killed — most of them Palestinian — making this the deadliest conflict for the press ever recorded.

Beyond calling for immediate access and protection of media workers, the petition adds that if “belligerent parties” continue to ignore these demands, journalists would seek to enter Gaza without consent.

They would try to gain access “by any legitimate means, independently, collectively, or in coordination with humanitarian or civil society actors.”

“These restrictions deprive the world of an impartial account and obstruct the path to accountability,” the letter stated.

“Unrestricted, independent access for foreign journalists is urgently needed, not only to document the unfolding atrocities but to ensure that the truth of this war is not dictated by those who control the weapons and the narrative.”


Pro-Palestine online content in UK risks censorship, rights groups warn

Pro-Palestine online content in UK risks censorship, rights groups warn
Updated 02 August 2025
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Pro-Palestine online content in UK risks censorship, rights groups warn

Pro-Palestine online content in UK risks censorship, rights groups warn
  • Online Safety Act, banning of Palestine Action present dual threat for users, letter says
  • Content supporting Palestinians risks being identified as supporting terrorism

LONDON: Pro-Palestine online content in the UK could be censored through the twin threat of the Online Safety Act and banning of Palestine Action, human rights groups have warned.

Content in support of Palestinians published online could be misconstrued as supporting Palestine Action, a protest group that was proscribed under anti-terrorism laws on July 5, The Guardian reported on Saturday.

Index on Censorship, Open Rights Group and other organizations have written to Ofcom, the UK’s independent communications regulator, to request clarification on the matter.

Signatories to the letter also warned that online content objecting to Palestine Action’s banning could be misidentified as unlawful support for the group.

Open Rights Group’s Sara Chitseko, a pre-crime program manager, told The Guardian: “Crucial public debate about Gaza is being threatened by vague, overly broad laws that could lead to content about Palestine being removed or hidden online.

“There’s also a real danger that people will start self-censoring, worried they might be breaking the law just by sharing or liking posts related to Palestine and nonviolent direct action.

“This is a serious attack on freedom of expression and the right to protest in the UK. We need to ensure that people can share content about Palestine online without being afraid that they will be characterised as supportive of terrorism.”

Major online social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have been advised by Ofcom that they can avoid concerns about meeting the requirements of the Online Safety Act if they are more stringent with censoring content than is mandated by the act.

The letter sent to Ofcom by the rights groups warned: “This approach risks encouraging automated moderation that disproportionately affects political speech, particularly from marginalised communities, including Palestinian voices.”

The UK, unlike the EU, lacks a mechanism through which users can appeal the censoring of their online content.

Signatories to the letter — which was also sent to Meta, Alphabet, X and ByteDance, owners of the world’s top social media platforms — called for the creation of a British dispute mechanism to discourage the censoring of lawful content.

The letter added: “We are concerned that the proscription of Palestine Action may result in an escalation of platforms removing content, using algorithms to hide Palestine solidarity posts and leave individuals and those reporting on events vulnerable to surveillance or even criminalisation for simply sharing or liking content that references nonviolent direct action.

“We are also concerned about what platforms understand by their legal duties regarding expressions of ‘support’ for Palestine Action.”

An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We have provided detailed guidance to platforms about how to identify the particular types of illegal and harmful material prohibited or restricted by the act, including how to determine whether content may have been posted by a proscribed organisation.

“There is no requirement on companies to restrict legal content for adult users. In fact, they must carefully consider how they protect users’ rights to freedom of expression while keeping people safe.”


Israeli writer Grossman denounces Gaza ‘genocide’

Israeli writer Grossman denounces Gaza ‘genocide’
Updated 02 August 2025
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Israeli writer Grossman denounces Gaza ‘genocide’

Israeli writer Grossman denounces Gaza ‘genocide’
  • “For many years, I refused to use that term: ‘genocide’,” Grossman told La Repubblica
  • He told the paper he was using the word “with immense pain and with a broken heart“

ROME: : Award-winning Israeli author David Grossman called his country’s campaign in Gaza “genocide” and said he was using the term with a “broken heart.”

This came days after a major Israeli rights group also used the same term, amid growing global alarm over starvation in the besieged territory.

“For many years, I refused to use that term: ‘genocide’,” the prominent writer and peace activist told Italian daily La Repubblica in an interview published on Friday.

“But now, after the images I have seen and after talking to people who were there, I can’t help using it.”

Grossman told the paper he was using the word “with immense pain and with a broken heart.”

“This word is an avalanche: once you say it, it just gets bigger, like an avalanche. And it adds even more destruction and suffering,” he said.

Grossman’s works, which have been translated into dozens of languages, have won many international prizes.

He also won Israel’s top literary prize in 2018, the Israel Prize for Literature, for his work spanning more than three decades.

He said it was “devastating” to “put the words ‘Israel’ and ‘famine’ together” because of the Holocaust and our “supposed sensitivity to the suffering of humanity.”

The celebrated author has long been a critic of the Israeli government.


Protesters slam The New York Times over Gaza famine coverage

Protesters slam The New York Times over Gaza famine coverage
Updated 01 August 2025
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Protesters slam The New York Times over Gaza famine coverage

Protesters slam The New York Times over Gaza famine coverage
  • Pro-Palestine activists deface building with ‘NYT lies, Gaza dies’
  • NYT amended article to whitewash Israel’s crimes, say activists

LONDON: Protesters targeted the headquarters of The New York Times in Manhattan on Thursday, accusing the newspaper of whitewashing Israel’s role in the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, where Tel Aviv is already facing charges of war crimes and genocide.

Videos circulating online showed pro-Palestinian activists defacing the building with the words “NYT lies, Gaza dies” in bold white lettering, alongside red paint smeared over the publication’s logo. A nearby Starbucks logo was also vandalized with red paint.

Activists accused the 173-year-old paper of bowing to pressure from pro-Israel lobby groups and “eliding” the fact that Tel Aviv “engineered the starvation.”

“In the past week, more than 100 Palestinians in Gaza have died of starvation. Six hundred and fifty thousand children have reached the fifth stage of malnutrition, which means those who do not die will likely suffer from permanent organ damage,” read a statement shared anonymously alongside footage of the protest.

“Who is responsible? You’d never know from reading the so-called ‘paper of record,’” it continued.

“It is our responsibility as people who live in this city to hold The New York Times to account. May life and peace return to Gaza, while consequences visit the home of every genocidaire.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the action, though the statement has been widely circulated online by anonymous activists.

The protest came days after the NYT amended a front-page article on the famine in Gaza.

On Thursday, an analysis by The Intercept found that the NYT repeated Israel’s baseless claim that Hamas was stealing aid nearly 24 times before its own sources contradicted that talking point.

The report originally included a photo of severely malnourished Mohammed Zakaria Al-Mutawaq.

But a subsequent correction stated that the child had a pre-existing medical condition that affected his appearance — a revision made following pressure from pro-Israel media watchdogs including Honest Reporting.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett reacted to the correction on X, writing: “This is simply unbelievable. After generating a tsunami of hate towards Israel with that terrifying picture, the NYT now quietly admits that the boy has pre-existing conditions.”

The NYT — like other Western media outlets — has come under increasing criticism for coverage perceived as biased in favor of Israel during its ongoing assault on Gaza.

Earlier this week, Gaza health authorities said the death toll had surpassed 60,000 — roughly one in every 36 people — with a third of the dead believed to be children.

A UN-backed monitor confirmed that famine is now “playing out” in real time across the territory.

The controversy comes on the heels of a report by Writers Against the War on Gaza, which accused the NYT of institutional and individual bias in its coverage.

The dossier alleges ties between current staff members and pro-Israel lobbying groups or the Israeli military.