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PATROL BASE YUSIFIYAH, Iraq (May 17, 2008) - A radio station in
Yusifyah, about 25 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, aired its first
broadcast throughout the nation May 15.
The station will broadcast Iraqi music of various genres
throughout the day, as well as weekly and bi-weekly message
segments dealing with various ministry departments of the
government.
"This is for ... the people of Yusifiyah," said Jamal Hussein,
radio station manager. "This station is supported ... by both the
Coalition and Government of Iraq."
A small building in the Yusifiyah Joint Security Station was
renovated with new paint and windows, air conditioning, lights and
broadcast equipment for broadcast use.
"The entire Yusifiyah Nahia consists of approximately 130,000
people, most of (whom) have access to a radio," said Capt. Bill
Koski, resident of South Deerfield, Mass., radio station project
manager and team leader for Company A, 411th Civil Affairs
Battalion.
"The known broadcast range is about 10 kilometers," Koski said.
"That comes directly from people calling in and telling us where
they are receiving the broadcast from and, judging by what is
around them, we are able to determine an approximate broadcast
radius."
Daily segments will feature weather forecasts, news, sports,
women's rights and roles in society and recordings of nahia council
meetings.
"The weekly shows will consist of one specific ministry, whether
it is the Ministry of Agriculture, electricity, water or so forth.
The twice-monthly segment will be a combination of every ministry
in the Nahia Council," Hussein said. "Residents will be able to
call in and address their concerns to the officials."
This is the first time a radio station has ever broadcast in
this area, Hussein said.
"Much of that has to do with how much Yusifiyah has improved
over the past year," he said.
The station now broadcasts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through
Friday, with plans to expand to a six-day, eight-hour schedule,
Koski said.
"That all depends on the response the station receives from the
people as well as the station's manpower," he said.
The station requires five employees: a station manager and four
operators. The nahia is still working to fully man the station.
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