Alhurra-Iraq scaling back Baghdad operations, expanding elsewhere

Washington, D.C. — Faced with the unstable security situation in Baghdad, serious safety concerns have forced the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) to take immediate steps to realign its field presence in Iraq, it was announced today. MBN will be eliminating positions in Baghdad, while adding other positions throughout Iraq and in the region.
“MBN remains committed to reporting ‘the truth first’ and maintaining and strengthening the Alhurra-Iraq television network, Sawa Radio-Iraq and MBN’s digital coverage of Iraq, upon which our audience has come to rely,” stated MBN President Amb. Alberto Fernandez. “Our comprehensive coverage of Iraq will continue without interruption. MBN will proceed with plans to expand original content and new programs on Alhurra-Iraq in the near future.”
MBN stated that it looks forward to further review of its Baghdad field operations when the security situation has improved and when independent journalism by Iraqi citizens can be fully practiced there without fear and threats.
About MBN
The Middle East Broadcasting Networks is a non-profit corporation is financed by the U.S. Government through a grant from USAGM. MBN operates Alhurra Television, an Arabic-language television network that broadcasts to 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa via satellite, as well as Alhurra-Iraq Television. MBN also operates Sawa, radio and its two dedicated streams, one to Iraq and the other to the Levant. It is available via FM throughout these two areas and provides more than 15 hours of news and information daily on each stream.
Find out more
Contact Deirdre Kline
Director of Communications, Alhurra Television, Radio Sawa
- dkline@alhurra.com
- (703) 852-9250