National Iraqi News Agency Marks First Anniversary

It happened in the Iraqi capital on October 15, 2005 at 3:47PM. People were rushing home to prepare for the Iftar, the traditional fast breaking during Ramadan. In the shadow of the well-known press hotel Palestine in Baghdad’s Mansour District a group of Iraqis journalists stared at a computer screen watching the website www.ninanews.com. “Website under construction – coming soon” was the message but suddenly it changed. The website of the independent National Iraqi News Agency (NINA) went on air with news item number one reporting that an unbiased up-to-date news service is available in Iraq. Item number two was a report on the constitutional referendum in Iraq which had called Iraqis to the ballot boxes on that day.

NINA is now part of Iraq’s media market. The authoritative, professional coverage supplied by the agency helps Iraqi media outlets to provide their audiences with impartial, accurate information. The news service in Arabic and English offers news and feature articles on the country’s political, economic, business and social life. The Iraqi media professionals who operate NINA have been supported in its development by IREX with experienced international news agency managers and technical assistance through the USAID-funded Iraq Civil Society and Media Support Program (ICSP), implemented by America’s Development Foundation.

Only nine days after the operational start of NINA a huge triple bomb attack shattered the nearby Hotels Palestine and Sheraton; the heaviest explosion ever seen in Baghdad. The headquarters of NINA sustained serious damage but no staff were hurt; the late shift had left the building only minutes before the attack. Business resumed as usual the next day and no interruption was seen in the service. While some staff removed the rubble the others started work at the remaining computer workstations.

It is a risky and demanding job to work as a journalist in Iraq threatened by bomb attacks, sectarian strife, or accused by the authorities of violating the Hussein-era criminal code, which makes anyone subject to up to seven years in prison who “publicly insults” the government or public officials.

One year later NINA can proudly announce on their newly designed website that its journalists have published “more than 21,000 news items” having “gained the credibility of news sources and media outlets.” Its distinguished status in the Iraqi media “as an independent and impartial agency committed to honesty and accuracy in publishing facts without imposing any body's opinion is proved by the wide acceptance of the news service,” the birthday message states. More than 1,400 reprints of NINA news per month have appeared in the Iraqi press.

The number of paying clients is growing, local media outlets, international broadcasters, and international news agencies. NINA has also explored innovative means to reach financial sustainability quickly. Since July 2006 a state-of-the art wireless Internet Service is operational and provides private and business subscribers in Baghdad with high-speed internet access. With a triangle of three well-located towers, the NINA WiFi Service can reach all Baghdad including the International Airport. NINA has become an Internet Service Provider now delivering an urgently needed service to the public.

The news agency has overcome tremendous difficulties in this first year. Staff left because of the security situation and threats, and journalists have trouble traveling safely. The unregulated frequency spectrum in Baghdad has hampered the wifi system, and there is often no electricity and sometimes no water. The mobile phone network is unstable. Numerous curfews prevent media professionals from moving freely to cover events and more. However, the NINA staff persevered and developed this agency.

IREX will continue support to NINA under a grant from the US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. A grant from the United Nation Democracy Fund will also help NINA’s country-wide correspondent network, one of the key assets of the agency.