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Iraqi TV Channels Carry Special Coverage Ahead of Saddam Trial

Posted on: Wednesday, 19 October 2005, 09:00 CDT

Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV and Al-Iraqiyah TV between 0500-0900 gmt on 19 October were observed to carry extended reports on Saddam's trial.

Within its 0600 gmt news summary, Al-Iraqiyah Television carries a report on Saddam's trial and the demonstrations staged in Iraqi cities "to denounce the crimes committed by Saddam Husayn".

The report adds: "In a survey conducted by Al-Iraqiyah, the Iraqi people stressed the need to try all those linked to these crimes and not only Saddam and the prominent officials in his regime."

Al-Iraqiyah is observed at 0738 gmt to carry a live programme to cover the proceedings of Saddam's trial. Al-Iraqiyah presenters say that the trial will be broadcast on Al-Iraqiyah and they began holding interviews with their correspondents in Baghdad near the premises of the court. The correspondents report on the "tight" security measures there. The correspondents also say they do not know when the trial will begin.

Al-Iraqiyah then carries pictures from inside the court in which Saddam will be tried. Al-Iraqiyah is also observed to carry video reports on the "crimes" of Saddam Husayn in Al-Dujayl.

In Al-Iraqiyah's phone-in programme, callers express their satisfaction at the beginning of Saddam's trial.

At 0500 gmt Al-Sharqiyah carries the following report: "Media sources in Baghdad have said that it is unlikely for the proceedings of Saddam's trial to be broadcast live. However, the proceedings will be broadcast after a short while, 30 to 60 minutes after the trial. These sources pointed out that the US authorities responsible for security have installed cameras and recorders. They also prevented TV stations' cameras from being brought into [the court room]. However, they have allowed journalists representing television channels to attend the sessions of the trial provided that they use their laptops to send their electronic mail. Afterward, they will be allowed to use their mobile phones at a specific period of time."

At 0520 gmt, Al-Sharqiyah is observed to carry a special report on Saddam's trial. The report details the biographies of Saddam and his aides. Al-Sharqiyah also carries videos of the killing of Iraqi citizens apparently under the former government. The same report was repeated in Al-Sharqiyah's 0700 gmt newscast.

At 0800 gmt Al-Sharqiyah interrupts its programmes to carry live remote footage of the court, where the trial of Iraqi former president "began a short while ago". The anchorperson adds that "reports say that mortars landed on the fortified Green Zone".

He notes that this trial is taking place today, "four days after holding the referendum on the constitution", the results of which, he says, are swinging between "yes" and "no". He says that "Today's trial is taking place amid tight security measures imposed on Baghdad city" in anticipation of reaction against the trial.

Sources: Al-Iraqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 0500 gmt 19 Oct 05 and Al-Sharqiyah, Baghdad, in Arabic 0500 gmt 19 Oct 05

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

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