Harris Corporation has been awarded a one-year, $96 million contract by The Defense Contracting Command-Washington (DCC-W), on behalf of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) currently governing Iraq, for developing an existing but antiquated media network into a modern media organization for the Iraqi people.
The Iraqi Media Network (IMN) program includes equipment, operation, training, and provisioning of programming for national radio and television networks and a national newspaper with operating locations in Baghdad and more than 30 other locations throughout the country. Two additional six-month contract options could increase the total value of the program to nearly $165 million.
“We are extremely pleased to be selected to play this role in the rebuilding of Iraq’s critical broadcast and media infrastructure,” said Howard Lance, chairman, president, and CEO of Harris Corporation.
“We created a focused organization to support reconstruction efforts in Iraq and to apply the unique capabilities that Harris has to offer in both commercial and government communications systems.
“The extensive experience of our Broadcast Communications Division on international projects, combined with the large integration programs expertise of our Government Communications Systems Division, will ensure the success of this initiative. The free flow of information is crucial to any modern society, and we are committed to making this ambitious goal a reality.”
The goal of the IMN contract is to create from the existing organization a first class, integrated media network that will include two national radio channels, two national television channels, and a national newspaper, “Al Sabah.”
Harris will lead this project and provide all of the necessary transmitters, integration and automation broadcast equipment with support from two very important local teammates: The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), a premier Middle Eastern media network, and Al Fawares, a Kuwaiti company with Iraqi ownership. LBCI is responsible for training and content programming for the two radio channels and two television channels-one for news and one for entertainment.
All four channels will be terrestrial and the all-news television channel will additionally be available by satellite. Al Fawares will assist in expanding the newspaper into national status based on the company’s experience with Al Watan in Kuwait, and also will provide security, logistics and construction services.
Harris Corporation created an Iraq Initiatives Office in July 2003 headed by Managing Director Youssef (Joe) Sleiman. The initiative leveraged the products, capabilities, and resources of the company’s five communications businesses to address opportunities related to the rebuilding of Iraq. “The IMN program is an incredible opportunity to create something of lasting value for the Iraqi people,” said Sleiman. “We are so very pleased to be part of this historic effort.”
