Al Mirbad Radio

Organisers say that, apart from its commitment to independence and impartiality, Al Mirbad Radio is unique in this context in that all its programme output is locally produced, and a high degree of responsibility has been handed to local managers. Iraqis were employed in setting the station up, and facilitated its move to new, permanent premises in Basra in 2008. After initial training by the BBC World Service Trust, ongoing training is now performed in-house by senior staffers. Al Mirbad broadcasts live and pre-recorded output for 12 hours a day, covering the 3 southern provinces of Basra, Missan, and Dhi Qar.

Democracy and Governance, Rights.

The station employs around 100 staff members. It has reporters based in the 3 provinces it covers and has built a network of citizen reporters. In late 2009/early 2010, a new non-governmental organisation, called the Al Mirbad Organisation for Media Development, was been created as a local association, in which all staff will eventually become voting members, giving them the opportunity to determine the direction in which they take the station in future.

An audience survey conducted in 2008 shows that nearly one-third of 15- to 65-year-olds in the 3 southern provinces listen to Radio Al Mirbad every week, and 1 in 10 listen every day. Well over half of its listeners said Al Mirbad is their main source of local information, and that it provides a vital service to the community. Most listeners agree that the station gives them a voice and assists in holding officials to account. A large majority of listeners (72%) say what they like most about the station is the fact that it is from and about the south.