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Iraqi satellite channels are affiliated to
political parties
20.1.2007 |
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January 20, 2007
Baghdad,- Iraqis were forced to watch the
official government channel and were banned from
owning satellite dishes under Saddam Hussain's
regime.
Since the ouster of the former regime in 2003,
Iraqis were granted more media freedom as witnessed
by the growth of number of media outlets.
More than 19 Iraqi satellite channels emerged. Among
these were Al Iraqia channel backed by the Iraqi
government, Al Forat of Shiite leader Abdul Aziz Al
Hakim and Baghdad — the mouthpiece of the Sunni
Islamic Party.
Yet some Iraqis are doubtful about this media
openness believing that it plays a significant role
in political and sectarian divisions.
Most of the newly established satellite channels are
affiliated to political parties and trends, like Al
Massar and Beladi Channels of Al Dawa party led by
Ebrahim Al Ja'afari and Al Salam of Shiite leader
Moqtada Al Sadr.
Other Kurdish satellite channels have emerged
belonging to Kurdish political parties, foremost Al
Hurriya of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan led by
Jalal Al Talabani and Kurdistan of the Kurdistan
Democratic Party.
Both highlight the Kurdish aspiration in
establishing a national region of their own.
Meanwhile, Ashur and Ishtar channels reflect the
Iraqi Christian's identity and culture.
The channels above broadcast their programmes from
Iraq unlike others that decided to telecast from the
outside, such as Al Sharqia which is owned by Sa'ad
Al Bazaz, a Sunni Arab favourite to Baath Party, Al
Baghdadia and Al Sumaria channels are supported by
Arab governments, Al Nahrin which is sponsored by
the Egyptian businessman Najeeb Sawiries who owns
Iraqna mobile company.
Finally, Al Zawara and Saladdin preferred to be the
mouthpiece of Iraqi resistance.
Halim Al Araji, head of the Iraqi Journalists
Protection Association, told Gulf News : " The
growth of Iraqi satellite channels contributed in
providing hundreds of job opportunities for
journalists who have been suspended from their work
because of the dissolution of the Iraqi Ministry of
Culture under the reign of Paul Bremer."
Iraqis see that growth played a significant role in
promoting divisions among Iraqis as each channels
reflects certain areas and certain points of view eg.
Al Forat, Al Massar and Beladi channels are watched
mainly by Shiites, while Baghdad, Al Zawara,
Saladdin, Mowsalyia and Al Sharqia channels
audiences are Sunni Arabs.
Hassan Al Shamri, a member of the Iraqi Journalists
Union, believes that this division has enriched the
freedom of expression among Iraqis and it is an
evidence of a vital democracy in the country.
But there are some Iraqis who believe that growth of
Iraqi satellite channels is fuelling sectarian
discord.
Raed Najim, a researcher at Iraqi studies and polls
centre, told the Gulf News: "The daily monitoring of
Shiite channel Al Forat and Sunni channel Baghdad
reveal two opposite political messages. Al Forat
coverage focuses on the Shiite area which are
subjected to attacks describing the attackers as
terrorists, while Baghdad news focuses on attacks
against Sunni neighbourhoods describing the
attackers as militias."
gulfnews com
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