Posted on 09/17/2003 3:52:23 PM PDT by Pikamax
New television launched
Baghdad, Iraq Press, September 17, 2003 – A group of Iraqi entrepreneurs have launched a new television channel whose 24-hour broadcasts are to be carried the world over via satellite.
The Iraq Broadcasting Corporation or IBC is the first post-Saddam independent and private broadcasting company.
"The company aims especially at Iraqi viewers via programs to be beamed on both local and international levels," IBC's spokeswoman Shahla Hassan told Iraq Press.
"IBC does not associate itself with any particular party, group, religion or sect. It is open to all cultures and beliefs," she added.
Since the ouster of dictator Saddam Hussein, the Iraqis have been swamped by satellite television and a flood of newspapers.
Under Saddam Hussein, satellite dishes were banned and the few Internet cafes in the country were under the control of the security organs and users were not allowed to build their own e-mails.
Many Iraqis feel that the international media particularly Arab satellite television channels do not provide a balanced reporting of their post-war conditions.
"We shall try to bring happiness to Iraqi households after years of gloom and isolation under Saddam Hussein," Hassan added.
The IBC will initially rely on an initial capital of ten million dollars which could rise to 30 million.
Hassan said the investors, whom she did not name, have already raised ten million dollars and response from prospective entrepreneurs is "very encouraging."
She said the IBC is planning to have offices in major Iraqi towns and bureaus in Arab countries, Europe and America.
"Priority in employment will be given to Iraqis and we call on Iraqi technicians, artists, reporters and engineers whether inside or outside the country to apply," she said.
Hassan said the first broadcast should be in the air in six months.
However, she did not make clear where the IBC will be based and the locations it intends to beam from.
"The only thing I can say is that the IBC is an independent station and it will exercise freedom to deal with Iraqi and Arab affairs," she said.
She said the IBC is not going to rely solely on news. "It is going to be a versatile corporation aiming at different age groups."
ipfront
Ipcul
Ip-pol
Progress and happiness.
I detected a lot of excitement and optimism in that story - if they do get bombed, I'll bet that it doubles and triples their resolve - as it should be. But still I hope they don't too.
Many Iraqis feel that the international media particularly Arab satellite television channels do not provide a balanced reporting of their post-war conditions.
"We shall try to bring happiness to Iraqi households after years of gloom and isolation under Saddam Hussein," Hassan added.
Iraq-ization, ping!
If you want on or off my pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days (most days are good days).
But they have great cable . . lol
Rupert Murdoch must be in town ;~)
spokeswoman. Isn't that progress in itself?
Where's the Diversity?
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