Britain has reversed plans to cut investment in the BBC's Arabic Service in response to the Arab Spring uprisings in a number of countries, Reuters quoted Foreign Secretary William Hague as saying on Wednesday. The government-funded service provides radio, TV and online broadcasts to an estimated audience of more than 20 million people in the Middle East and North Africa regions. "It is right that we should look at ways in which we can assist the BBC Arabic Service to continue their valuable work in the region," Hague said. "So I have agreed that we will provide additional funding of 2.2 million pounds ($3.5 million) per annum to enable the World Service to maintain the current level of investment in the BBC Arabic Service," he added. The World Service, which broadcasts BBC programmes globally in a variety of languages, is facing cuts of 16 percent in funding over the next three years as part of a government austerity drive to reduce debt. -- SPA
