Alhurra and Radio Sawa Mark 10 Years Since the Iraq War
Alhurra, Alhurra-Iraq and Radio Sawa will provide comprehensive coverage to mark the 10 years since the start of the Iraq war in 2003.
Sectarian conflict, media and the arts, status of women, changes in the educational system, the impact on the Kurdistan region and religious tourism in Najaf are just some of the topics included in Alhurra-Iraq’s coverage. The weekly discussion program Talk of Two Rivers will examine the challenges facing Iraq’s transition into democracy, while the daily talk show In Iraq will focus on the impact the war had on the Iraqi economy; the security situation in Iraq and the threat of terrorism; as well as the influence the war had on Iraqi culture. Alhurra-Iraq is also examining the psychological effect the war has had on Iraqi children, including Shamass Karim, a little Iraqi girl who lost her mother and her sight when a car bomb exploded nearly 10 years ago and how she has overcome that adversity. Additionally, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zibari appeared on Free Hour to mark the 10th anniversary.
In the week leading up to the 10th anniversary, Alhurra’s Al Youm has had a series of feature reports. The program looked at a generation of Iraqi children who grew up in wartime. The program also reported on how Baghdad has been rebuilt in the last 10 years; and the aspirations of Kurds hoping to get an autonomous state. Al Youm also interviewed Ali Abbas, a young boy who lost both of his arms in the war and went to the United Kingdom for treatment. Since then he has married his Iraqi girlfriend and set up a charity to help Iraqi amputees.
Radio Sawa’s network interviewed many prominent Iraqi politicians and will broadcasting their thoughts on the last 10 years as Iraq continues to transition into a democracy. Radio Sawa also examined the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction’s report “Learning from Iraq” and interviewed Iraqi lawmakers about the reconstruction process. Radio Sawa’s Free Zone and Magazine programs will also focus on 10 years since the Iraq war.
MBN Digital’s team is engaging with Iraqis and asking them if they are better off now or 10 years ago and providing a platform to express their thoughts.
According to international research firms, Alhurra is among the top 10 television sources for news in Iraq. Radio Sawa is the most popular radio network in Iraq.