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May 18, 2004

A new way to network

In early April, the Marines made a request for television recording, editing, and broadcasting equipment from Spirit of America. Three weeks later, Jim Hake and the Spirit of America delivered $82,267 of video production and broadcasting equpment to Camp Pendleton. Today, the last of it arrived in Iraq. That is an incredible accomplishment.

The result of this effort will be a new voice of freedom in Iraq. Currently, most Iraqis get their news from Al Jazeera, hardly an unbiased source. Opening independent media sources will provide information about positive as well as negative viewpoints. The only requirement is that the stations refrain from anti-Coalition force propaganda. Iraqis will finally be able to hear a balanced news source.

However, Jim cautions:

While - like you - I am eager to hear these stations are up and running, it's important to keep in mind that all the gear is going into a war zone. The security situation changes unpredictably and plans change. Thus, I'd expect some delay. There may be even bad news. It's a war of ideas there as much as an armed conflict. Those fighting against us understand the danger that these stations (and free, unintimidated media) present to their agenda. One can assume they will resist them at some point. These are my thoughts. I'm not speaking for the Marines. I hope I'm wrong.

Yes, there is an element of risk. However there is also incredible potential to bring a voice of balance and reason to the citizens of Iraq. This is a risk worth taking.

Here's a message from Marine LtCol John Lutkenhouse about the media equipment:

Jim,

Here is the link to the story and photos we just put together regarding the arrival of the TV/radio equipment. PAO has also edited some of the video we took into a news clip that I think is pretty good. Just need to decide on the best way to get it to you.

As far as next steps, we are coordinating with Harris Corp (the folks who are providing the support to IMN) to send reps our way who can add their expertise as we travel out to the stations and distribute the gear. This would include two of their engineers and an IMN cameraman who will document our visits and report on the Spirit of America equipment we donate. We will also use some of the equipment for the local AM radio station that we are moving onto our camp from an outlying base. We will be integrating our efforts with Harris Corp's strategic plan in order to make sure we give the right type of equipment to the right sites (i.e. avoid giving video production equipment to a TV station that is not designated as a production site). Keeping in mind the required combat assets to get around our AO, as it looks right now we should able to hit all of the stations within the next 2-3 weeks. In conjunction with this, we will continue to engage the media leadership in Al Anbar (station managers, etc) in order to build relationships that will foster trust and cooperation. In fact, we are even exploring mentoring programs to help these broadcasters think and operate as independent news organizations/media enterprises. Case in point, one of the things we are finding is that their reporters don't really know how to be reporters (ask questions, think critically, and dig for the truth). As you well know, one of the legacies of the former regime is the pervasive fear that effects the decisions of Iraqis in all walks of life.

As such, we are taking 'baby steps' to encourage both media professionals and local governments (town councils) to see the benefits of getting information to the public, to be seen making decisions in council, and to develop the instincts of an open society.

The end state here is to give the Iraqis in Al Anbar an open and independent broadcast media that will present the truth and serve as an alternative to the biased reporting from the likes of Al Jazeera. At the same time, this will also gain us access to the airwaves across our entire zone in order to help ensure that our message gets out. I will keep you and the folks back home posted as we move forward. Thanks again to you and to the donors who are generously supporting our efforts.

SF,
John

There's more coming - stay tuned.

Posted by Deb at May 18, 2004 12:06 AM

Comments

I trust the Marines to spend my money a whole lot more than I do the politicians in DC.

Posted by: Glenmore at May 19, 2004 03:36 PM