11 May 2003

BBC World Service Trust in Basra Stephen King, Director of the BBC World Service Trust, is currently in Basra where efforts are underway to rebuild the local media. In an article on the BBC Web site, he confirms what many of us have known all along - the Iraqis  are a sophisticated audience who are sceptical about media such as Towards Freedom TV. King says the 112 staff of Basra TV and Radio have turned up every day to a football stadium where the salvaged remains of their TV station are stored.   The Trust is now developing a set of proposals to help Iraqis in Basra and Al-Amara re-establish local radio and TV programming. It is seeking funding to provide small amounts of equipment to resume broadcasting on both TV and radio as soon as possible and to provide training in journalism, in management and in editorial independence over the next two years.   You can read the full story at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3013907.stm 2:19:16 PM     comment on this entry []

Reported fire at Iraqi radio and TV building A reports on the Web site of US cable station Capital News 9 says that fire has destroyed part of the former state TV and radio building in Baghdad. Authorities are said to be still investigating the cause of the fire, although looters are suspected. The building was already heavily damaged during the coalition military action. Media Network is trying to find out more details of the latest incident. 2:10:22 PM     comment on this entry []

© Copyright 2003 Andy Sennitt.