Alhurra Television Hosts a Historic Debate Among Iraq Candidates

Alhurra Television Hosts a Historic Debate Among Iraq Candidates SPRINGFIELD, Va., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, January 23, 2005, Alhurra will broadcast the first televised electoral debate in Iraq's history. Six candidates representing all of the major political parties participated in the debate, which was produced by Alhurra Television. The three-hour debate will be broadcast on Alhurra and Alhurra-Iraq, reaching millions of viewers throughout Iraq and the Middle East. Moderated by Alhurra correspondent Imad Al-Khafaji, the questions were posed by three prominent Iraqi journalists Qais Al-Azzawi, editor-in-chief of the Al-Jaridah newspaper; journalist Haidar Said; and Ismail Zayer, editor-in-chief of the Al-Sabah Al-Jadid newspaper. Topics ranged from security issues to education reform. Taped earlier this week before a live audience in Baghdad, the debate will debut on Alhurra-Iraq at 17:00 GMT on Jan. 23rd. The candidates who participated in the debate were: * Hamid Majid Moussa, Secretary General of the Iraqi Communist Party, member of the Interim National Council and head of the People's Union Ticket. * Qassem Daoud, National Security Minister and candidate on Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's ticket, The Iraqi Ticket. * Adnan Pachaji, President of the Gathering of Independent Democrats, member of the Interim National Council and head of the Gathering of Independent Democrats Ticket. * Barham Saleh, Deputy Prime Minister, candidate on the Kurdish Alliance Ticket. * Hachem Hassani, Industry Minister, candidate on President Ghazi Al Yawar's ticket, Iraqis. * Jawad Al-Maliki, Member of the Politburo of the Islamic Daawa Party, Deputy Speaker of the Interim National Council and candidate on the United Iraqi Congregation Ticket. Alhurra (Arabic for "The Free One") is a 24-hour news and information network broadcast entirely in Arabic. It can be seen in 22 countries throughout the region via Arabsat and Nilesat, the same satellites systems used by all major Arabic channels. In addition to reporting on regional and international events, the channel broadcasts discussion programs, current affairs magazines and features on a variety of subjects including health and personal fitness, entertainment, sports, fashion, and science and technology. The channel is dedicated to presenting accurate, balanced and comprehensive news. In April 2004, a second channel was added, Alhurra-Iraq, specifically for Iraqi audiences. The new channel is available by satellite and terrestrially in Baghdad and Basra. Additional terrestrial channels are expected in the near future. Along with in-depth news from Alhurra, Alhurra Iraq provides nightly newscasts and talk shows specifically dealing with the issues facing contemporary Iraq. "Alhurra is an example of what a free press should be in a democracy," stated Norman J. Pattiz, Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governor's Middle East Committee. "Democracy requires an informed public and televised debates are critical to the process." An Oxford International Research survey conducted in July 2004 showed that 61 percent of Iraqis watched Alhurra on a weekly basis. Of those viewers, 64 percent found the news to be reliable. Alhurra and Alhurra-Iraq are operated by The Middle East Television Network, Inc., a non-profit corporation funded by the U.S. Government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). The BBG is a federal agency that supervises all U.S. nonmilitary international broadcasting. The channel broadcasts from studios in Springfield, Va. and bureaus throughout the Middle East. Source: Alhurra CONTACT: Deirdre Kline, Director of Communications of the Middle East Television Network, +1-703-852-9250 Web site: http://www.alhurra.com/ NOTE TO EDITORS: Interested journalists who would like to view the debates please contact Deirdre Kline. ------- Profile: International Entertainment