US-funded Al Hurra broadcaster lays off 160 jobs, merges Iraqi channel By Reuters

By Timour Azhari

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The parent company of U.S. government-funded Arabic-language broadcaster Al Hurra has cut 160 jobs and is merging its Iraqi channel after a 20 percent budget cut imposed by the U.S. Congress has stated its CEO in a memo to staff.

“Today is a sad day. We said goodbye to 160 of our colleagues today. We have reduced our workforce by 21%,” MBN President and Interim CEO Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin said in a memo to staff on Monday.

“The moves we’re making are mandatory. Budget cuts imposed by Congress have forced us to cut costs to the company by nearly $20 million,” he said.

MBN comprises two satellite television channels – Al Hurra and Al Hurra Iraq – as well as two radio stations and several websites.

Based in the US state of Virginia, Al Hurra began broadcasting in February 2004 as part of a US effort to connect with audiences in the Middle East amid growing anti-American sentiment following the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.

It aims to “accurately represent America, Americans and American politics” and engage in independent journalism, according to MBN’s website.

MBN said it was merging Al Hurra Iraq with Al Hurra TV “to offer viewers the best of both networks” and said “Iraq remains a priority – a vital part of MBN’s region and ecosystem”.

A company spokesman said 30 of the laid-off employees were in Iraq and 130 in other parts of the region and the US.

MBN said it is moving away from an expensive brick-and-mortar presence and will instead prioritize employee multimedia journalism while exploring new technologies such as artificial intelligence.