Iraqi radio & TV
I was pleased to read about today's meeting between the US military authority in Baghdad and about 30 former employees of the state radio and TV. The military have wisely recognised that Iraqis are the best people to run their country's media. Some cynics will say that nobody who worked for the official media under Saddam should be given jobs. I disagree. Broadcasters are employees. They do not have to like their employer, or even agree with him. Many operated under duress, and only fear for their own safety and that of their families prevented them from openly defying the regime.
I am sick to the teeth with people who have never lived in anything other than a democracy making patronising comments about the people of Iraq. They're not stupid, they knew what was going on. The broadcasters pretended to be telling the truth and the people pretended to believe them. It was the only way to survive under a brutal regime. That has gone now, and everyone deserves a fresh start, including young people who want to become good journalists and up to now haven't been given the chance. I'm not referring to senior management, of course - they were part of the regime.
I hope the time will soon come when we will be able to welcome young Iraqi broadcasters to our training centre in Hilversum. At the moment we have with us a wonderful bunch of young people from numerous countries in Africa and Asia who bring enthusiasm, vitality and a fresh perspective that enriches us all.
7:49:10 PM 
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