IRAQ

Times of India: New Iraqi TV complains of US censorship

BAGHDAD: The US-sponsored Iraqi television station began broadcasts on Tuesday after complaining of American censorship, including efforts to stop it airing passages from the Koran, the Muslim holy book
But the Iraqi Media Network postponed plans to air a half-hour live news programme because of disputes over editorial control.

"As journalists we will not submit to censorship," said Dan North, a Canadian documentary maker advising Iraqis at the station, which plans two hours of programming a night for viewers in Baghdad.
"This whole idea was about starting the genesis of an open media so we will not accept an outside source scrutinising what we produce."
The charges of censorship could reaffirm for many Iraqis the perception that Washington is not allowing them a free hand in building democratic institutions.

US officials made no comment on the censorship allegations. They had earlier said the station would be a welcome change from the Saddam era.
"This is not American propaganda. This is the first time in 25 years Iraqis are getting TV that is not propaganda," said Robert Teasdale, a US adviser to the network. "fair and balanced news...wie auf FOX"