From 1969-2003, media was severely limited under Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime. Only one news network, Iraqi News Agency, functioned as the government TV channel. An additional five daily newspapers and four radio stations provided censored information to the Iraqi people. Any other media was barred and banned. Satellite dishes were illegal, and the breaking of any of limited press rules meant imprisonment, torture or death. Many journalists defected as a result and went into hiding during these years.
After 2003
After the Iraq War in April of 2003, the laws were revoked and journalists were allowed to report news as they saw it for the first time. Americans made it their agenda to establish a free press, and the Iraqi citizens came alongside them with eagerness. They were eager to share ideas.
With zero private news outlets to start, there were over 200 within just a few months. CNN, Al-Jazeera and dozens of other publications sprouted up. Western partners were traininig journalists each day, the enthusiasm was so strong.
The main opponent to the Iraqi News Agency in 2003 was “Aswat al-Iraq.” This news outlet is supported by the United States, Turkey, Germany, Russian Federation, Britain, People’s Republic of china and the United Nations, causing it to gain immediate traction and respect.
Iraq Tv Stations
- Al-Iraqiya – federally owned and operated
- Al-Sharqiya – privately owned, in Dubai
- Al Fayhaa TV– privately owned, in Dubai
- Al Naeem TV – privately owned, Iraq
- Asia TV – news channel
- Al Masar al-Oula Satellite – news, current affairs, religious programming, culture
- Al Hurria – Iraq News
- Al Etejah TV – Iraq News
- Al Sumaria – Iraq General
- Al Rafidain – Iraq News
- Afaq TV – News, Current Affairs
- Al Salam – News, Drama, Islam, Sports & Drama
- Ahlubayt – Shia Islam, from London, UK
- Al-Sumaria – privately owned, in Beirut
- Ahlulbayt TV – The Holy Household for Every Household, an English TV network which shows Islamic holy teachings, traditions and culture. Shows include: ‘Does God Not Exist?’, ‘Heavenly Foods’, ‘Islam Today’, ‘Poetry Corner’, and ‘Awaited – The Mahdi in The Quran’.
- Al Rasheed Media – News station
- Al Sharqiya News & TV – news station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, live from Iraq; and media station, with comedies, reality television and more.
- Al Forat TV – Baghdad station owned by the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council
- Al Baghdadia TV – in Cairo, Egypt
- Baghdad Satellite Channel – media channel-cultural, social, political programming
- Hurria TV
- Kurdistan TV – Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)
- KurdSat – Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)
- KBSV TV – education channel promoting cultural practices and beliefs of the Assyrian people.
- Karbala TV – a religious channel based in the holy city of Karbala
- Karbala Satellite – based in Karbala
- Imam Hussein (Arabic & Farsi)
- TV Al-Salam
- Turkmeneli TV – Turkish based in Kirkuk
Iraq Radio Stations
- Al-Mirbad – a US supported Iraq radio station in Basra
- Radio Dijla – a private Iraq radio station in Baghdad
- Republic of Iraq Radio – a federally owned Iraq radio station
- Radio Basra – a federally owned Iraq radio station
- Voice of Iraq – a private Iraq radio station in Baghdad
Iraq Press
(Online & Physical Newspapers, Magazines, etc.)
- Al-Dustur – privately owned in Baghdad
- Al-Mada – privately owned in Baghdad
- Al-Mashriq – privately owned in Baghdad
- Al-Manarah – privately owned in Baghdad
- Al-Sabah – federally owned by Iraq Media Network
- Al-Zaman – English daily press, in Baghdad and Basra, produced by London firm
- Face Iraq – multipurpose news press, aggregates international and Iraqi websites