Television in Iraq

INTRODUCTION

The birth of the television was originally introduced here, in the United States. The impact of this new technology was not only evident here in the US, but in other countries as well. In Iraq, television caused immediate changes, which in turn caused adjustments in everyday living. The benefits and negative impacts varied, but overall as in most other countries, television shapes the images and views of everything that is broadcasted. Television currently has taken the place of past leisure activities. Being informed of the news, sports, and global issues consisted of hearing it only through radio and prior to that just word of mouth. "People gathered around the TV set as they had gathered around the radio, much like their ancestors had gathered around campfire storytellers"(Schwab, 2004, p.3).

With an objective to capture light in a series of lines and beams, the television was introduced as a product of moving images. With the help of several investors, Philip T. Farnsworth invented the television in the 1920's. With help from others including Vladimar Zworkyn, John Baird, and Charles Jenkins, the television underwent many trials and tests before its final completion. In a collaborative effort the previously mentioned men worked to establish a way to broadcast pictures through the colors of black and white to its present color TV. Television images are portrayed simultaneously around the network." Accurate timing of devices and split-second movements of cameras are the essentials of television operation" (Television Volume III, 1938, p.1).

Currently the media plays a highly influential role that is evident amongst the citizens of Iraq. Some speak of the US in particular as having distorted views, focusing too much on tragedy. Currently the US media displays all of the negative activity due to the war and deducts the success of Iraq. "The introduction of the television shows progress.......new car sales have skyrocketed in Iraq, along with newspapers, peaceful demonstrations and other signs of a political system that has replaced totalitarianism"(T. Roeder, The Gazette). According to the article, Iraqis critical media, television leaves out other positive progressions of the country, such as renovated schools and hospitals, in addition to repaired water and sewer systems.

Perceptions about the war seem to be the highlight of the distorted view publicized on television currently. According the Asia Times, Fox news is criticized for its chauvinistic coverage in news. A survey was conducted and the results showed that 80% of viewers grasp at least one misperception, while CBS, CNN, and NBC followed (www.atimes.com).

The publishing and evidence of Iraq's own media distribution is quite developed. More conservative and conformist in nature, the citizens of Iraq find there cultural way of living to be more understood. Once referred to as the Mesopotamia, meaning land between rivers, Iraq is aware of the issues at hand when it comes to television. There are both positive and negative aspects of the impacts regarding television. Television today provides updated domestic and international news, as well as an additional outlet for advertising. Edward M. Schwab suggests, "Once a person or a family tuned to a specific channel, they were likely to stay tuned to it for a while" (Schwab, 2004, p. 4). This allowed for advertisers to rely on promoting their brands and specific products. Whether good advertising or distorted views of the war, television is both a technological advancement and threat. "There are countless issues that need to be addressed when producing enhanced content, generating the transport stream, and designing receivers" (Television Volume III, 1938, p.4).

HISTORY

Iraq consists of lands considered to be the ancient Near East. Historians theorize this is the location of the earliest civilizations. According to the Old Testament and older Near Eastern texts, what once was Mesopotamia is now the country of Iraq (Morse, 1973, p.404). Ancient Mesopotamia in Western mythology and religious belief was a land abundant in plants, animals and water. Settling of this area occurred around 6000 B.C. by Turkish and Iranian nomads (http://www.country-studies.com/iraq/preface.html).

Life in ancient Mesopotamia was impacted by two main elements: the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the river valley itself. The fertile river valley made it possible for the first time in our history, to have an excess amount of food. However, the crops needed protection from the rivers and the development of flood control became essential. With the capability to grow more food and the progression of flood control, the genesis of Iraq was secured.

Iraq established itself as a "Republic" on July 14, 1958, with the end of the rule of King Fasisal II (Morse, 1973, p.408). Between this time and the rise of Saddam Hussein in June of 1979 (al-Kahalil, 1989, p.xxx), the history of Iraq is riddled with violent uprisings and coup attempts. Saddam Hussein created a period of stability never before seen in Iraq. He used capital from oil sales to decrease unemployment, start large building projects and to greatly improve health care and the educational system. These results bonded a large number of Iraqis to the Baath Party. Another first for Iraq after the rise of Saddam Hussein was the creation of a national identity. The success of Saddam Hussein and the thriving Iraqi society would however, be short-lived. The start of the Iraqi decline began with the invasion of Iran on September 22, 1980 (Davis, 2003, p.281-282). The war forever changed the history of Iraq and disrupted the Iraqi political, social and economic structures.

On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait (Davis, 2003, p.175). After the Gulf War ended, the UN Security Council made it mandatory that Iraq get rid of all weapons of mass destruction and make way for UN weapons inspections. Continued nonconformance to the UN Security Council regulations came to a head with the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003, resulting in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and the Baath Party (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook).

The major issue facing Iraq today is building a nation-state with a national identity out of a war torn diverse society. Coalition forces are still in Iraq fighting the insurgents. There is much to be done with assisting the Iraqi Interim Government and getting the basic facilities and services back on line for the Iraqi people.

Economy

Like many middle- eastern countries Iraq's economy was controlled by the sale of oil. Oil sales comprised 95% of its foreign exchange earnings (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook).