Awarding Of Contract Is Delayed U.S. Rethinks Plan For Paper, Networks

[cthrumatrix]

Iraq Media
Awarding Of Contract Is Delayed
U.S. Rethinks Plan For Paper, Networks
By Walter Pincus
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 16, 2003; Page A32


The Pentagon has delayed awarding a $100 million contract to run a national Iraqi newspaper and television and radio networks, a result of the U.S. decision last month to transfer political power to an Iraqi government by July 1.

more

"There's obviously a bias in the Middle East toward state broadcasting," said CPA official Gary Thatcher. "It is not a bias that we share nor is it a bias that we want to promote."

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has decided to extend through January a temporary contract with a U.S. company that has been running the media outlets. That contract is held by California-based Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), a government contractor known primarily for providing military and technological equipment.

SAIC set up or restored radio and television transmitters and other equipment, along with producing programming that emphasized CPA activities and training broadcast and print journalists to work in a free environment.

snip

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2975-2003Dec15.html

[dusty64]

1. Betcha murdoch

will get this one.