Iraq's Voices Of Independence

Four Iraqis Risk Their Lives To Broadcast A Message Of Hope

(CBS)  Only in Iraq could a television show called "Common Ground" be a potential death wish.

Four young people just talk about getting along. Most striking of all: Two of the hosts are Sunni Muslims, two are Shias. They reject extremists and insurgents - and have the guts to say it on television.

"The goals of the insurgents are bad. Our message represents hope to Iraqis," says Samir, who co-founded the station, the one true independent channel in all of Iraq, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann.

A year ago, 55 people worked at this station. Now, only four people really keep it going. Insurgents threatened or intimidated the rest into quitting by murdering a dozen people who once worked here.

They broadcast off the tallest tower in Iraq, originally built by Saddam.

In Diyala Province, north of Baghdad, it's desolate and dangerous. So like her co-workers, Doria Abdul Latif can never leave the office. She has to live here - she's too recognizable now to risk going home.

"For sure, they're going to kill me," she said through a translator.

Farfed Mahmoud is lucky. Earlier this year, insurgents took his house, not his life. "Why did they take your house?" asks Strassmann.

"Because I am a Shia," he says.

An outpost of American soldiers protects the station and its employees

"They are absolute patriots," says Col. David Sutherland. "They are so brave, it is amazing."

They are also under constant stress.

"I'm wanted, because the bad guys will kill me," Samir said.

Someone, they say, has to tell the insurgents: enough.

[cbs_oliver]

I support a message of tolerance and non violence.

Good for the broadcasters for sending a good message!

I also support a message of truth and not giving false witness even by omission.

Shame on the broadcasters and CBS for withholding key relevent information!

[cbs_oliver]

For those who want more info straight from the state department here is the link

http://www.state.gov/p/nea/rls/82358.htm

The CBS report leaves out key information which is important to a full understanding.

The state department press release provides that information.

[cbs_oliver]

Perhaps they are not so independent as all that.

[cbs_oliver]

Taken from Release by U.S. Embassy Iraq
Baghdad, Iraq
March 25, 2007


Photo: Five Iraqi broadcasters from the Independent Radio and Television Network in Diyala Province, Iraq at a ceremony officially launching the IRTN with live televised news casts and original programming for both radio and television.

From left to right: Rafed Mahmood, General Manager; Samir Kamies, Co Founder; and others.(State Department photo)

The Independent Radio and Television Network (IRTN) officially launched on Sunday, March 25, 2007.

...

Their 3000kw radio transmitter ...

"We reach parts of Tikrit and all of Diyala Province," says Samir Kamies, co-founder and television manager. "We are easily reaching 11 million people."

Iraqi government and provincial dignitaries, senior Coalition Forces commanders and U.S. Embassy staff joined the IRTN staff for an official launch ceremony at the studio complex. The facility is located south of Ba''Qubah, near the town of Buhriz, between Baghdad and the Iranian border.

The U.S. Embassy''s Public Affairs Global Outreach (GO) Team has been on site at the IRTN studios training the Iraqis since February 3rd. The Public Affairs GO Team is a team of rapid response communications experts experienced in all facets of media relations, public affairs, crisis communications and message development in support of State Department missions all over the world.

[drummer94]

cfin5: Who are WE to think it''s an improvwement? Isn''t there way too many dead and cripped? For what, democracy? I would bet they are looking for a leader like,YIKES, their old one....................They can thank shrub for the craziness. Sheesh!

[oakishpines]

'' ... locked up with zealous teachers/parents or with zealous militants, a room of fifty naked lazy ignorant profane kids still comes out looking like a pack of trained circus monkeys wearing clothes and standing around in lines and rows and doing chores for free 2 spare themselves the pain and humiliation of being guilty ... ''


'' ... i didn''t go to war in europe or korea or vietnam or iraq or afghanistan, i went to war in dare, where they scream ''i dare you to stay off drugs i dare you to stay off drugs'' at little kids while slaving kids for liking drugs and for not liking drugs ... so now kids run around screaming: i dare and shock and awe you to stay off u.s. troops and oligopolys, i dare and shock and awe you to stay off u.s. troops and oligopolys ... two dollar idiots are taught to rape and kill because they can''t defeat trillion dollar idiots that rape and kill ... except that any five year old with a little neighborhood junk and a strong desire can shoot the moon out of the sky with a remoted asteroid or some amplified waves, or whutever, such that living in a gigantic rape and kill hell hole is only a very very short term business plan ... ''

'' ... dont dance porno get sick tax world get well feed world songs rallied round sick beds drifting farm trails ... ''

[sasi1-2009]

My hat''s off to these four courageous young people. How many of us would do this?

[eyerag1]

The CBS reports from Iraq are not to be trusted.

From the Sydney Morning Herald:

Even US soldiers assigned to protect General Petraeus''s showcase remain sceptical. "Personally, I think it''s a false representation," Staff Sergeant Campbell said, referring to the portrayal of the Dora market as an emblem of the surge''s success. "But what can I say? I''m just doing my job and don''t ask questions.

[tank611]

QUOTE:''Wow! The BS "surge" is in full swing''

So any opinion you don''t agree with is BS? Brilliant!

[feelfree1]

Wow! The BS "surge" is in full swing. Not only does CBS have the ever-breathless, and deadly pro-illegal war apologist, Lara Logan back in action, but now they have even unleased Mark Strassmann- the CBS News equivalent to Judith Miller!!!