US funding 'black' propaganda in Iraq?
New Scientist reports on investigations by DXing.info and Clandestine Radio into Radio Tikrit, an Iraqi radio station that many suspect has been taken over by the US for propaganda purposes. It cab be heard from 1900-2100 UTC on 1584 kHz.
However, by 15 February, the tone of Radio Tikrit's programmes began to change dramatically. One show reportedly described Iraqis so poor that they had to sell their windows and doors. Another, broadcast on 18 February, is reported to have encouraged Iraqi soldiers to refuse the "orders of the tyrant" and "be brave before it is too late". [...] Finally, a posting to the DXing.info web site, from a person identifying themselves as Egyptian, suggests the voice of the main Radio Tikrit announcer can also be heard on a non-clandestine US propaganda station called Information Radio. This station broadcasts from airplanes flying near Iraq, a technique also used in the war in Afghanistan. - New Scientist, Iraqi radio station may be US 'black' propaganda.Clandestine Radio Watch says that Radio Tikrit, along with Twin Rivers Radio, has ties to the exiled opposition group Iraqi National Accord. The INA's radio programme al-Mustaqbal is rumoured to receive assistance from the CIA and Voice of America.
Radio Tikrit and Twin Rivers Radio (Wadi al-Rafidayn), CRW and Radio Netherlands Media Network can exclusively report, are "sister" stations of the London-based exile group Iraqi National Accord's own program, al-Mustaqbal (The Future). A representative of the Accord, which encourages regime change through a coup d'etat, responded to an inquiry about the three radio stations with an invitation for listeners to send e-mail for all three programs to the main Accord e-mail address. [...] Radio Tikrit's appearance in January 2003 on a frequency once used by a CIA/Accord station Voice of the Brave Armed Forces surprised most Iraq watchers since its initial broadcasts appeared to denigrate U.S. foreign policy. Subsequent programs monitored by BBC Monitoring, however, blast the regime in Baghdad and attempt to win over the hearts and minds of Ba'ath Party bureaucrats and Republican Guard troops. [...] A source contacted today in Iraqi Kurdistan said "Here in northern Iraq people are completely mystified that anyone would name a station Radio Tikrit. I have asked several Sunni Arabs what they think when they hear there is a new station called Radio Tikrit and every one of them said 'CIA.'" The stations monitored schedules: Twin Rivers Radio 1600-1900 UTC on 1566 kHz Radio Tikrit 1900-2100 on 1584 kHz al-Mustaqbal 2100-2400 on 1575.3 kHz - CRW, Iraq : Radio Tikrit and Twin Rivers Radio Tied to Opposition Group.