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Iraq media dossier Iraqi  media: latest observations This page last updated 23/03/03 21:53:14 Dutch time Updating of this page is now concluded. For continuing coverage of Iraqi media developments, check the main page from 0800 UTC on Monday 24 March. Ongoing coverage outside regular office hours (0800-1730 UTC) will in future be maintained through our new Weblog. Thanks to Wolfgang Buschel, Nick Grace, Lou Josephs, Thorsten Koch, Vladimir Titarev and Tarek Zeidan for help with this weekend’s updates. Observations on Sunday 23 March 2135 UTC: CNN reporter Gary Strieker replied to a question from news anchor Paula Zahn concerning the AM radio station destroyed in last night’s air attacks: “The pilots had no information on that. It is likely a broadcast facility run by the government. Could be an broadcast station that is used for military purposes as well, they didn't know anything about that.” Media Network has been unable to ascertain the location of this target, other than “south central Iraq.” 2020 UTC: UK news provider ITN has confirmed that its longest-serving reporter, Terry Lloyd, is dead. Mr. Lloyd and three colleagues were caught up in fighting between US marines and Iraqi forces near Basra on Saturday. ITN says Mr. Lloyd is believed to have been taken to hospital in Basra, but may have been already dead on arrival. 1724 UTC: Iraqi TV has reportedly broadcast an interview with four captured US soldiers, one of them a woman. The interview has been rebroadcast by al Jazeera. The Pentagon has accused the Iraqis of violating the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war. 1600 UTC: The Web site of the Iraqi Satellite Channel is accessible intermittently, but the online stream does not appear to be working. Suggestions that Iraq’s satellite connections to the outside world have been cut off seem to be incorrect. Brian McWilliams of pc-radio.com told New Zealand’s National Business Review: "Web surfers have encountered intermittent problems reaching Uruklink.net, the Iraq government's main website, after the US launched its initial attack Wednesday night. But those access difficulties were apparently due to a surge of Internet visitors rather than to damage from the bombing. "In fact, traffic to Uruklink.net is hitting record levels, according to counters at the site. The homepage of Uruklink.net had over 10,000 visits yesterday, and is on pace to hit 14,000 today. That would represent the busiest day at the site since the counter was installed in December. The previous traffic record occurred on Feb. 9, when the site's address was published in the Drudge Report." For more on the Iraqi Internet, check this page of our dossier. 1525 UTC: Media Network notes that the Web site of the Iraqi UN Mission, reported by BBC Monitoring as unavailable, is hosted by NTT/Verio Inc. based in Englewood, Colorado. A simple notice reads “This Web site is currently unavailable.” 1515 UTC: From Tarek Zeidan: “Finally managed to get Baghdad on 6175 around 1415 UTC. The modulation is a bit better than 11787 kHz. A man speaking about the Arab regimes that don't allow the people to demonstrate against the attack of the US and UK against Baghdad...why did Jordanian regime kick 5 Iraqi diplomats out of Amman today? ID, followed by a song.” 1254 UTC: CNN carried a 2-minute feature about how Iraqi TV is covering the latest developments. 1050 UTC: From Tarek Zeidan: “Noticed that neither Radio Baghdad or Iraq Satellite Channel get a live coverage of the press conference held by the Iraqi media minister Al Sahaaf. Other Arabic networks like al Jazeera, Abu Dhabi TV, al Arabiya, Nile News were broadcasting live coverage of the press conference. Checked on the Iraqi Satellite Channel, and the radio, but nothing there.” 1005 UTC: Around 9.39 Baghdad went off the air suddenly, but got back on air after less than one minute. But the modulation is getting poorer than usual. Still the same formula: songs and speeches with the emphasis on fighting the invaders from USA and UK. (Tarek Zeidan) 1000 UTC: Saturday’s Washington Post reported that after daybreak on 22 March, a US fighter-bomber tore into the headquarters and radio station of Ansar al-Islam, an Islamic extremist group dug into the Halabja Valley in northeastern Iraq. 0922 UTC: CNN reporter Gary Streiker says that the AM broadcast station destroyed by US aircraft during Friday night’s attacks was in “south central Iraq.” 0845 UTC: Baghdad continues to be observed in The Netherlands on 11787 kHz with very poor modulation. Tarek Zeidan in Cairo says the programming is mainly songs and reports from Iraqi reporters via telephone talking about the resistance to the British and the Americans. ”We will fight or die”, that's how they ended the report. Tarek adds: “Tried to get 6175, but I don't think I'll be able to get it around this time of the day.” 0840 UTC: The Iraqi Ministry of Information is holding its first press conference since the start of the hostilities. Voice of the Liberation of Iraq You can listen to a 11’ 22” segment of this station recorded on Saturday 22 March at 1843-1954 UTC courtesy of our colleagues at Clandestineradio.com   © Latest observations by BBC Monitoring Iraq: Media behaviour round-up 1700 gmt 23 Mar 03 Iraqi electronic media continued to operate on Sunday 23 March. Republic of Iraq Television, the domestic service, was observed by BBC Monitoring at one stage broadcasting in parallel with the Iraq Satellite Channel. Republic of Iraq Radio Main service continued to be heard on mediumwave and shortwave. On the 846 kHz frequency (believed to be a transmitter at Nasiriyah), an Arabic-language radio station has been observed broadcasting pro-Iraqi government programming and urging Iraqis to defend their country. The broadcast was not in parallel with other active Iraq Radio Main Service frequencies. Iraqi domestic and satellite television have shown video of Saddam Husayn chairing separate meetings with different sets of senior officials. His son Qusay was always present at the meetings, but his eldest son Uday was not shown. The TV channels have also shown news conferences held by, among others, Vice-President Taha Yasin Ramadan and Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf. Other programming on Iraq's broadcast media has focused on praise for Iraqi resistance and "victories" against US "aggressors". Iraqi TV has continued its coverage of anti-war demonstrations worldwide. And the Iraqi news agency web site has updated its content. Following are BBC Monitoring's observations on the Iraqi media up to 1700 gmt on 23 March: Iraq Satellite Channel Iraq Satellite Channel, the external service, continues to be observed via Hot Bird 6 at 13 degrees east and Arabsat at 26 degrees east. The channel continues to carry unscheduled announcements, patriotic songs and scheduled newscasts. The highlights of programming between 1100 and 1700 gmt on 23 March were as follows: 1103 gmt: Newscast, which included the following item: 1. Vice-President Taha Yasin Ramadan holds a news conference in Baghdad today. 2. Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf holds a news conference in Baghdad today. 3. Foreign Minister Naji Sabri says that the Iraqis have shot down another plane. Sabri's statements to Al-Arabiyah TV are cited. 4. Staff Maj-Gen Al-Rawi says he contacted the commander of the 51st Mechanized Infantry Division. 5. Twelve members of the US forces were wounded in a grenade attack in northern Kuwait. 6. US missiles target civilian areas and wound scores of Iraqi citizens. 1120 gmt: Patriotic songs 1127 gmt: Recording of Staff Maj-Gen Al-Rawi's statements in a news conference today. 1137 gmt: Patriotic songs. 1141 gmt: Programme entitled: "Diary of Mother of Decisive Battles." The programme hosts Baghdad University Professors Dr Abd-al-Razzaq al-Dulaymi and Dr Hasan Tawalibah. Al-Dulaymi speaks about media and its role in accurately reporting US and British military activities in Iraq. Tawalibah speaks about the Arab Socialist Ba'th Party statement issued yesterday. 1300 gmt : The "Diary of the Decisive Battle" programme continues. A recording of an Abu Dhabi TV channel report showing Iraqi citizens and soldiers on the banks of the River Tigris searching for two Western pilots whose planes were shot down over Baghdad were aired during the programme. 1322 gmt : Patriotic songs. 1326 gmt : Interviews with armed Iraqis dressed in military attire voicing support for Iraq and Saddam, and stating readiness to resist the "idol" of this age. 1335 gmt : Patriotic songs. 1400 gmt: The channel interrupts the "Diary of the Decisive Battle" programme to air an Al-Jazeera report showing Iraqi soldiers and citizens firing weapons near the River Tigris. Al-Jazeera correspondent is heard saying "they are firing to celebrate capturing a pilot". 1412 gmt: A report on the situation in Karbala district is aired as part of the "Diary of the Decisive Battle" programme. The report includes statements by tribesmen in Karbala voicing support for Iraq and Saddam. 1423 gmt: The programme goes on to discuss Western media "attempts" to "mislead" the public. Within the programme, an Al-Jazeera report is aired showing the leader of the Iraqi 51st Division denying reports that he had surrendered. 1445 gmt: Patriotic songs. 1452 gmt: Repeat of Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yasin Ramadan's news conference. 1505 gmt: Radio Baghdad and the Iraq Satellite Channel were observed to broadcast on the same Iraq Satellite Channel frequency. At 1520 gmt, only the Iraq Satellite Channel was heard. 1520 gmt: Sunset call for prayers, after which the Ramadan news conference is resumed. Republic of Iraq Television Republic of Iraq Television continued to carry patriotic songs praising Saddam Husayn and Iraq. The following programming was observed between 1100 and 1700 gmt on 23 March: 1116 gmt: Repeat of a news conference held by Vice-President Taha Yasin Ramadan in Baghdad. 1318 gmt : Repeat of Iraqi Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf's briefing to reporters on latest developments. 1402-1416 gmt: News summary on world satellite channels highlighting arrest of two Western pilots. [Six-minute break in reception] 1430 gmt: Civil defence official gives guidance to citizens what to do inside their houses in case of bombing. [10-minute break in reception] 1520 gmt: Call for evening prayer. 1533 gmt: Programme interviewing an Iraqi political science professor who speaks about the US disinformation campaign in war on Iraq. The programme also shows demonstrations in New York and other US cities, as well as demonstrations and rallies in Iraqi governorates in support of Saddam Husayn against US-led war against Iraq. Republic of Iraq Radio Main Service On the 846 kHz frequency (believed to be a transmitter at Nasiriyah), an Arabic-language radio station was observed from fade-in at 1205 gmt on 23 March. The broadcast was not in parallel with other active Iraq Radio Main Service frequencies. The station was broadcasting pro-Iraqi government programming and urging Iraqis to defend their country. Republic of Iraq Radio Main Service, the main official radio station of Iraq, was observed on the following frequencies at various times between 1100 gmt and 1700 gmt on 23 March: 603 kHz (believed to be a transmitter at Ninawah near Mosul) - observed at 1500 gmt ; and 909 kHz (believed to be a transmitter at Baghdad) - observed from 1100-1700 gmt. It was heard until 1600 gmt on 6175 and 11787 kHz shortwave (locations unknown). Radio programming is interspersed with patriotic songs and brief commentaries urging Iraqis to resist the "invaders." The following programming was observed between 1100 and 1700 gmt on 23 March: 1100 gmt: News summary: 1. US Department of Defence admits that Iraqi air defences continue to pose threats to US and UK aircraft. 2. A US soldier from the 101st Airborne Division is arrested for hurling hand grenades at his colleagues in northern Kuwait, AFP cited. 3. Report on antiwar protests staged in several European countries. 4. His Holiness Pope John Paul II says that the Iraq war is a threat to the future of mankind, remarks made at a meeting with journalists cited. 5. The US administration shuts down its embassy in Riyadh and its consulates in Jedda and Dhahran, AFP cited. 6. Palestinian security source says that Israeli troops conducted an incursion into eastern Gaza City yesterday. 1110 gmt: Report on a meeting Saddam Husayn held with his top aides. 1130 gmt: Newscast: 1. Saddam Husayn chairs a meeting that brought together several of his top aides. 2. The National Assembly announces the death of Nayif Shindakh Thamir, official in charge of the Ba'th Party organizations in the Al-Najaf Governorate, "who achieved the honour of martyrdom" while engaging in combat. 3. Iraqi military spokesman makes statement on the downing of five fighter planes and two helicopters. 4. Report on a news conference held by Information Minister Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf on a visit he paid to the Al-Qadisiyah neighbourhood. 5. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry regrets the onset of the Iraq war, a statement issued by the Nigerian Foreign Ministry is cited. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry also regrets the onset of the war. 6. Wounded civilians renew their pledge of allegiance to Saddam Husayn. 7. The US Department of Defence admits that the Iraqi air defences continue to pose threats to US and UK aircraft. 8. UK spokesman is cited on an aircraft that went missing during the ongoing hostilities. 9. Venezuelan vice-president denounces the ongoing "aggression" against Iraq. 10. Report on antiwar protests staged worldwide today. 11. Antiwar demonstrations staged at Egyptian universities. 12. Some 250,000 persons take to the streets in Madrid to protest the ongoing Iraq war. 13. 1148 gmt: Radio dispatch from Al-Muthanna Governorate. Four coalition tanks were destroyed in Al-Samawah. 14. A US soldier from the 101st Airborne Division is arrested for hurling hand grenades at his colleagues in northern Kuwait, AFP cited. 15. UK's Robin Cook criticizes British government for backing the US "aggression" on Iraq. 16. Israeli troops conduct an incursion into Jenin. 17. Israeli sources admit that Palestinian resistance men carried out an attack against a Jewish settlement near Umm al-Fahm today. 1303 gmt : Full recording of news conference held by Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yasin Ramadan today. 1403 gmt: News summary. [largely indistinct] 1414 gmt: Recording of a pan-Arab satellite television interview with Abd-al-Bari Atwan, the pro-Iraq chief editor of the London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi. 1417 gmt: Recording of Al-Jazeera TV interview with its correspondent in Baghdad on search for Western pilots in Tigris river. 1433 gmt: Koran. 1500 gmt: Scheduled newscast: 1. Saddam Husayn chairs meeting comprising ministers of military industrialization, higher education, others. 2. Iraqi spokesman says five coalition aircraft and two helicopters downed. 3. Iraqi information minister holds news conference this morning. 4. Masses of Diyala lay their martyrs to rest. 5. Arab solidarity delegation arrives in Baghdad. 6. Antiwar protests continue worldwide. 7. International human rights organization condemns the aggression against Iraq. 8. US Defence Department admits Iraqi ground defences continue to pose a threat. Internet The Iraqi News Agency (INA) web site http://www.uruklink.net/iraqnews/ continues to update. INA carried the following reports: 1. President Saddam Husayn meets Qusay Saddam Husayn and Defence Minister Sultan Hashim Ahmad. 2. President Saddam Husayn meets Vice-President Taha Yasin Ramadan, Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and other Iraqi officials. 3. Iraqi Armed Forces issue communique on military operations in Iraq. 4. Statement issued by the National Command of the Arab Socialist Ba'th Party. INA carried the following headlines at 1310 gmt : 1. Collapse in morale of forces of the US aggression. 2. Robin Cook criticizes the British government. 3. Venezuela condemns the US-British aggression. 4. The Moroccan House of Representatives demands a halt to the aggression. 5. A US soldier killed and 13 injured. 6. Russian concern over the effects of the US-British aggression on Iraqi historical sites. 7. The information minister stresses that the aggressors are targeting residential areas and services. 8. A British aircraft crashes (over Kuwait). INA posted the following headlines at 1430 gmt: 1. President Saddam Husayn chairs a meeting comprising the ministers of military industrialization and higher education. 2. Moscow patriarch condemns the barbaric US-British aggression. 3. The information minister stresses that the US and British war criminals are in a great dilemma in Umm Qasr. 4. A delegation of Tunisian volunteers arrives to defend Iraq. 5. The shaykh of the Murad tribe in Yemen condemns the US-British aggression. 6. International delegations participating in the Human Rights Committee denounce the unjust aggression. The Iraqi UN Mission web site, http://www.iraqi-mission.org/, was not accessible. The Iraq2000 web site, which hosts the daily newspaper Babil, a number of Iraqi weekly newspapers and the Babil Online news website,http://www.iraq2000.com, was not accessible. BROADCAST MEDIA TARGETING IRAQ Voice of the Liberation of Iraq says Saddam Husayn was killed during raid of 20 March Voice of the Liberation of Iraq, a radio station believed to be operating from Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan, broadcast the following report at 1830 gmt on 22 March: "According to reports from the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the dictator of Iraq Saddam Husayn was killed from a serious injury he sustained during the missile attack of 20 March. These sources said that the Iraqi dictator had appointed his eldest son Uday as his successor to rule Iraq and the Iraqis before dying. "According to reports, Uday's younger brother Qusay, protested strongly against this decision and killed the personal guard of his brother Uday." [Passage omitted: Uday expected to be more ruthless than his father; allied forces calling on Iraqis to provide any information of Uday] Voice of the Liberation of Iraq is a station first monitored in March 2003 on mediumwave 1206 kHz in the Middle East and shortwave 4025 kHz. Source: BBC Monitoring research 23 Mar 03 Observations on Saturday 22 March 2105 UTC: CNN reports that Iraqi TV showed pictures of Iraqi citizens stepping on, and burning, some of the leaflets dropped by allied aircraft advertising the frequencies of Information Radio. 1705 UTC: CNN reporter Gary Strieker aboard the aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt says that US aircraft “destroyed an AM radio station in central Iraq” during last night’s air attacks. 1615 UTC: The team of CNN journalists expelled from Baghdad, including correspondents Nic Robertson and Rym Brahimi, arrived safely in Jordan a few hours ago after making the dangerous overland journey from Baghdad. CNN was ordered to close its office and leave the country after the Iraqi government described their reports as “propaganda.”  However, a team of journalists from Britain’s ITN was not so fortunate. Their two cars came under fire as they travelled between Umm Qasr and Basra. Their fate is unclear. The group includes veteran ITN reporter Terry Lloyd, cameraman Fred Nerac and local translator Hussein Othman. Other western broadcasters, including the BBC and German TV network ZDF, still have correspondents in Iraq, but all their reports are closely monitored by the Iraqi authorities. 1615 UTC: Baghdad with the news from 1500 till around 1535 followed by a song and now 15.42 UT a political analysis by a professor in Baghdad Uni...I  think ! mainly on LSB 6175 kHz. (Tarek Zeidan in Cairo) 1455 UTC: Baghdad went back on the air exactly at 1443 UTC on 6175 and 11787. For the time being only Quran on both frequencies. Poor modulation..but at least, we could hear something. (Tarek Zeidan in Cairo) Here in The Netherlands we’re again hearing a strong carrier on 11787, but no detectable modulation at the moment. Nothing audible on 6175, which we would not expect to hear at this time of day. (Andy Sennitt) Radio Baghdad is still ON +0500-0820+ UTC  on 11787.017 kHz and 6175.011 kHz. Both suffer from low and slightly distorted modulation. Mostly Arab songs, Time Signal (5 + one long bip) as usually shifted in time e.g. at 0700:50. I don't think it's an 'artificial substitution' for real Iraqi program. BTW, 6175 is new for me. (Vladimir Titarev, Ukraine via CRW)   © 2003 Send us an E-mail