Diyala's Independence Radio and Television station celebrates official grand opening

Photo By Spc. Paul Harris | Uday Abdul Karem, local radio producer, for the newly opened Independence Radio and TV station in Buhriz, Iraq signals to the broadcaster in the booth that she has two seconds before going live on air. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Paul J. Harris, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, Oct. 03, 2006)  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

10.03.2006

Story by Spc. Paul Harris 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

by Pfc. Paul J. Harris
3rd HBCT, 4th ID PAO

BAQUBAH, Iraq (October 3, 2006) -- The Independence Radio and Television station, al-Istiklal, in Diyala Province held a grand opening Tuesday to mark the official start of broadcasting in the region.

Diyala Province's Governor Ra'ad Rashid Mulla Juwad Al-Timimi was present to open the TV and Radio station which boasts its tower antenna as tallest manmade structure in Iraq. He later went on air to do a live public service announcement on TV and radio.

"This (station) will make Diyala powerful," Timimi said. "It will be our eyes, our weapon against the enemy."

The station has received an estimated $2 million in funds from coalition forces to first set up the station with high end radio and television broadcasting equipment and second to build a satellite broadcast capability, said Lt. Col. Christopher Johnson, , provincial reconstruction deputy team leader, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Lightning.

"It will be a huge step," said Johnson. "A lot of (Iraqi) people have access to Satellite and cable, but not so much to the old standard antenna."

The TV station can currently broadcast to 75 percent of Diyala Province but with a satellite capabilities they will be able to reach the majority of Iraq and neighboring Arab countries. According to Johnson the IRT will be satellite ready within the next two months.

The plan in the future is to have the station produce original content but now it is primarily being used an information forum to tell the people what is happening in the province.

"But they have their own independent press so they can file stories," Johnson was quick to point out.

With free press a new concept in Iraq, Johnson said the provincial government of Diyala is doing a remarkable job at allowing the media to develop in Diyala. "There is no censorship," he said, "it's fair and balanced."

Fear of the station becoming a mouthpiece for a sectarian organization the government along with the direction of the PRT has come up with a board of directors, made of a cross section of Diyala residents, to advise on programming content and keep the station a diversified representation of the people.

Joining Governor Timimi at the ceremony was Coalition Forces commander in Diyala, Col. Brain D. Jones, 3rd HBCT; and Staff Brig. Gen. Shakur Helail Hussein al-Ka'abi, commander 5th Iraqi Army Division.

"I know this is an important day," Timimi said, "because there are important people here. Let this improve our work in Diyala."

• Date Taken: 10.03.2006
• Date Posted: 10.04.2006 11:05
• Story ID: 7911
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ