BAGHDAD, January, 31, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – Some media experts believe the broadcast of over 20 Iraqi satellite channels to be a sign of freedom of speech after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, but others warn that such a surge of channels may incite sectarian strife in the war-ravaged country.

Iraqi satellite channels "are a sign of media freedom after the fall of former regime (of Saddam Hussein)," asserted Ahmed Jabr, an official in the Baghdad satellite channel, linked to the Iraqi Islamic Party.

"The number of Iraqi satellite channels symbolizes the radical transformation from total blackout to absolute freedom. If any other Arab country witnessed the Iraqi experience, the demand on establishing satellite channels would be the same," he told IOL Tuesday, January 31.

Over 20 satellite channels have so far gone on air and the number is likely to increase as some political parties are getting prepared to own more channels.

Jabr explained that every party in Iraq wants to express its ideology or political agenda and satellite channels have a great impact on viewers who can easily access them.

Media freedom and the increasing number of satellite channels may contribute to increasing the awareness of Iraqis of their cases which may unite them against American colonialism, according to Jabr.

Moreover, he added, the deteriorating security situation made it mandatory on all members of every Iraqi family to return home by dusk and watch the various political and ethnic channels for long hours.

During Saddam Hussein's reign, only Iraqi Satellite Channel and two land channels, Iraq and Shabab (Youth), were permitted. Owning satellite dishes was not permitted then and violators were penalized by confiscating the receiving devises, fine and detention for up to six months.

But not all Iraqis hold such positive sentiments for the new wave of satellite channels.

Saadoun Al-Bayati, an Iraqi media expert, told IOL that media is a double-edged sword and that some of the nascent satellite channels may not serve Iraq unity.

"Iraq is in a critical stage and some of the satellite channels incite sectarian strife that would divide Iraqis rather than unite them," he said.

"Some channels air talk-shows which host personalities and receive phone calls inciting sectarian hatred. Their effect is more risky than carrying arms."

He added that some channels have become an explicit tool to polish politicians and leaders that finance them.

Iraqi media experts attribute the growing demand of parties and political figures to launch satellite channels to the deteriorating situation of Iraqi print journalism and the decrease in demand to read them.

The high frequency of power failure in Iraq also make e-journalism limited in the country.

The identity of the satellite channels in Iraq varies according to the Iraqi mosaic.

The Iraqi satellite channel, launched by a decree issued by former US ruler in Iraq Paul Bremer, represents the Iraqi government.

Kurds have two satellite channels. They are Kurdistan channel associated with the Kurdish Democratic Party led by Massoud Barazani and Kurdistan TV.

Some channels represent ethnic minorities such as Turkman Iely of Turkmans. Somarian and Ishtar channels, which broadcast 40 percent of their programs in Surrian language, cater to Assyrian viewers.

The majority of Iraqi satellite channels are owned by Shiite parties which participated in the first and second Iraqi parliamentary elections. The channels include Al-Fayhaa, Al-Anwaar and Al-Furat.

Some of the channels are based in Iraq while others broadcast from Egypt and the UAE.

The Iraqi satellite channels are financed by the parties they represent, donations of the supporters of parties, the Iraqi government, governments of neighboring countries or the US occupation.