Communications in Iraq - Broadcast Stations

Broadcast Stations

Approximately 80 radio broadcast stations and 21 television broadcast stations were in operation as of 2004. There are approximately 4.85 million radios and 1.75 million televisions in Iraq (as of 1997).

During the reign of Saddam Hussein, broadcasting was largely the domain of the Iraqi Broadcasting and Television Establishment (IBTE). The IBTE, in turn, was dominated by the Ministry of Information. The IBTE often broadcast programming favorable towards Saddam Hussein, including music videos praising him and poetry readings when the station was down. Most IBTE transmitters were in the Baghdad area, in addition to a few regional stations. The IBTE aired former CBS reporter Dan Rather's interview with Saddam Hussein as well as the news from Baghdad Bob during the run up to the US invasion of Iraq. After the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, the IBTE was dissolved. The current regulator is the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission. The current public broadcaster is the Iraqi Media Network, successor to the Coalition Provisional Authority's radio stations and several other radio and television stations. The Iraqi Media Network currently operates the Radio of the Republic of Iraq and the government supported al-Iraqiya TV station, and many private TV stations are available, such as the popular Al Sharqiya. Iraqi radio stations showcase the diversity of popular opinion, from hard-line Islamic fundamentalism to Radio Sawa, politically-oriented stations, and stations featuring content appealing to Kurdish listeners. The BBC World Service broadcasts here, as do AFN and BFBS. Other foreign radio stations operating within Iraq include the UAE's Middle East Broadcasting Centre(MBC), Radio Monte Carlo Moyen-Orient, and Radio France International. Sources: World Radio Television Handbook, 1990, 2003, and 2005; MSN Encarta Online Encyclopedia;the Frontline, a PBS documentary