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Rear Admiral Mark Fox congratulates five Iraqi broadcasters at the March 25 launch of the Independent Radio & Television Network in Diyala Province, Iraq.
(U.S. Embassy/Susan Phalen)
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In the heart of Iraq’s troubled Diyala Province, the Independent Radio and Television Network (IRTN) officially launched on Sunday, March 25, 2007.
“We respect our new government and all of our religious leaders, but this network is completely independent,” said Rafed Mahmood, IRTN co-founder and general manager. “Our voice is independent. No one tells us what to say.”
With jumper cables and a 12-volt battery, this Saddam era media station roared to life on March 3, 2007. Four Iraqis – two Sunnis and two Shias – are quickly becoming the voices of sectarian reconciliation, unity and freedom in the central part of Iraq. Their 3000kw radio transmitter line is cabled up to the top of the 350-meter tower that a Japanese manufacturer built for Saddam in 1986.
“Our radio signal is reaching south to Hillah, and west to all of Baghdad and Fallujah. We reach parts of Tikrit and all of Diyala Province,” says Samir Kamies, co-founder and television manager. “We are easily reaching 11 million people.”
Iraqi government and provincial dignitaries, senior Coalition Forces commanders and U.S. Embassy staff joined the IRTN staff for an official launch ceremony at the studio complex. The facility is located south of Ba’Qubah, near the town of Buhriz, between Baghdad and the Iranian border.
During the event IRTN began broadcasting their UHF television signal as they kicked-off programming with a “live” newscast featuring news, weather, sports and an editorial. The TV signal reaches all of Baghdad and Diyala Province.
The US Embassy’s Public Affairs Global Outreach (GO) Team has been on site at the IRTN studios training the Iraqis since February 3rd.
The Public Affairs GO Team is a team of rapid response communications experts experienced in all facets of media relations, public affairs, crisis communications and message development in support of State Department missions all over the world.
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