Good Morning Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/23/international/europe/23spiegel.html

U.S. Sponsored Television in the Middle East is "Cheaper than an Invasion"

The violence -- and casualties -- in Iraq continue to mount and many in the Arab world continue to view America as an imperialist power. But the US-based television station Al-Hurra is trying to change that. After all, there is some good news in Iraq, isn't there?

The scenes of destruction have become a daily staple in Iraq: car bombs exploding in Baghdad, mutilated victims, the horrified faces of the survivors. And new footage from the Iraqi capital, it seems, is constantly flickering across television screens.

Recently, it was graphic pictures showing newly discovered bodies of Iraqi security personnel. They were shot, execution style, by insurgents. "It's quite devastating," says television news anchor Zain Saleem, 34. She then rushes off to get made up in preparation for going live. But then, difficult times in Iraq are the reason this attractive journalist has her job in the first place.

Formerly a presenter on Saddam Hussein's state-run television station, today she is the face of the main news program of Al-Hurra, a US government-funded television station for the Arab world, especially for the new Iraq. Saleem and her 174 colleagues are part of an attempt to reduce anti-American sentiment in the Arab world. "We must do something to counter the propaganda that fills the airways of the Arab world," said US President George W. Bush when the station began operations in February 2004.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Formerly a presenter on Saddam Hussein's state-run television station

Go with a winner, just like Hollywood.

[thebigidea]

3. just like they kept using his torture prisons and palaces

... after spending years shrieking in horror at his torture prisons, and babbling about his palaces.

[UpInArms]

5. new boss, just like the old boss

same show, different day.

:(

[jojo54]

2. If it's U.S. sponsored, then I'm surprised they're not showing

reruns of Donna Reed and Ozzie and Harriet. They CERTAINLY won't see the Daily Show or Bill Maher!

[daleo]

4. They will flood the Iraqi airwaves with local versions of Runaway Bride.

Some shark attacks, the latest weekend numbers from Hollywood, trials of American pop culture figures, etc.

"You are feeling sleepy..."

[ninkasi]

6. Or this

"You are feeling stupid..."

[leftchick]

7. Good News in Iraq? I bet these women are relieved...

Not...



Iraqi women mourn for relatives wounded in a car bomb attack at a restaurant in Baghdad May 23, 2005.

And these kids can't wait to get home and watch the "good news in Iraq"..

[LynnTheDem]

8. "We must do something to counter the propaganda"...so bush fills the

airways with HIS propaganda!

BRILL!

I'm sure the Iraqis can be duped about the reality in their own country as easily as Americans are!

:eyes:

[Frederik]

9. "attempt to reduce anti-American sentiment in the Arab world"

How about a change in POLICY, not just in propaganda?

[EFerrari]

10. Well, developing a policy requires some minimal involvement

with REALITY, which MendacityCentral needs to avoid at all costs.

That leaves propaganda.

[Robworld]

11. Will the station have television shows like Friends or survivor?

Just like the fall of Baghdad, they'll use bad actors who cant even get the accent right.

http://www.dumdumgoestothecircus.com

[Frederik]

12. Survivor

Six young men and women go for a walk in a Baghdad street, and the excitement is seeing who lives when they get home.

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. 'Reality' shows in Iraq

"By what authority did you do these things?"

"Sir, they led us astray with their fatwas and offering us money."

"Do you realise that everything you did is perfidy?"

"Yes, sir."

"This Mullah Mahdi who gave you fatwas is a dog. He is scum. I'll get him within 72 hours and put him on TV, God willing."

"God willing, sir."

Ibrahim confesses to involvement in a series of attacks, and abducting and killing Iraqi policemen, national guards and others.

He says he was paid $100 (£52) per operation by his commander, or emir, who, he says, is homosexual.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4364157.stm

"Terror in the Hands of Justice" runs on the government-run al-Iraqiya channel, showing prisoners who have clearly been beaten up during their interrogation. They confess, on TV, to various crimes, whether believable or not, often including some salacious sexual details to get any devout Muslims riled. Torture for entertainment and propaganda - the next step after Abu Ghraib.

[all.of.me]

14. they need a newscaster like the radio newscaster in

good morning vietnam (can't think of his name!).

this woman zain saleem needs to say something more powerful than 'it's quite devastating' right on camera.

this is really disgusting.