The Arabist

The Arabist

By Issandr El Amrani and friends.

Saddam TV

BBC News - Mystery tribute channel to Saddam Hussein launched:



"The 'al-Arab' channel, dubbed Saddam TV in Iraq first appeared on Bahrain-based Noorsat and Egypt-owned NileSat on Friday and is also streamed on the Internet.
An Iraqi member of parliament, Jaber Habib Jaber, condemned what he called the channel's 'glorification of a tyrant'.
One Baghdad resident told the BBC that the channel has become his favourite even though watching it makes him sad for reminding him of when Iraq was safe.
However the BBC's Natalia Antelava in Baghdad says that many in the city are indifferent to the news of the channel's launch.
It comes as Iraqi authorities are gearing up for parliamentary elections that are due to be held in January 2010."


This story made me think: what' the programming grid on Saddam TV? His old ghostwritten biopics? Variety shows presented by Comical Ali? Cooking lessons with Chemical Ali? Documentaries about Stalin, Saddam's favorite historical figure? Tributes by the many journalists, think tankers, arms dealers and others who took money from Saddam in the old day? The Qusay and Udday Show, a sitcom based around two sons of an all-powerful dictator who get to drive around and terrorize Baghdad?

Does every one and his dog have a satellite channel now in the Middle East?

Via @Linaattallah.