While reading the executive order regarding USAGM and the fall out from that, I wanted to share something personal and related to how some individuals in the upper management and leaders did things opposing the actual identity of the network at certain points at MBN( Middle East Broadcasting Networks, part of the USAGM),during my tenure with them. A🧵that includes how leadership tried to silence U.S journalists from covering or criticizing foreign governments and Terrorist groups:
I started working for Al-Hurra(MBN) in 2016 as a freelance writer, then as a full-time contractor corresponding from California in May 2018 to September 2022. I was tasked with covering California(a role that grew to include Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Texas, Arizona, and D.C. in certain assignments). On August 19th, I was given my annual review that included a raise and a bonus.
Everything was going perfectly until I received a notice for a meeting with the two network leaders without any prior knowledge of the matter at stake. The two figures informed me that we cannot move forward together due to something that I covered on my social media feed. I demanded to know the post in question, but nothing was given.
The same meeting was held with another Iraqi American journalist at the channel 5 minutes later, and he was surprised as well. My immediate supervisor was surprised and asked them not to take such severe action, especially without any clarifications. I did not stop; I emailed HR and requested the actual reason for the action, and none were given. After filing a formal complaint with the EEOC, the leadership team produced 5 tweets, which I covered news and updates in regards to individuals associated with and leaders of two Iran-backed militias in Iraq, which were designated as terrorist groups by the U.S. government.
The tweets were all from the same date and had nothing unusual about them. Later on, people within the channel told me that the decision was made to appease Kataib Hezbollah-Iraq(aforeign Terrorist group and another terrorist militia). At that time, the Biden administration was allegedly engaged in efforts with certain groups in Iraq. Clearly, we were silenced as American journalists to appease such groups. Al-Hurra, which ironically means in Arabic “The Free One,” did everything but allow freedom of journalism and speech, which contradicts their mission statement.
Al-Hurra earlier penalized several journalists for softly criticizing the former Iraqi government, Iraqi politicians, and actions which were seen as contrary to what taxpayers should fund and ask of their platform. Al-Hurra leadership instructed anchors not to mention certain terms that might piss off militias or their allies, not to talk about the UAE’s space program positively( when I asked why? I was told “things aren’t well with the UAE currently ,” to not cover certain U.S. organizations in my reports and ignore them. Show an opposing opinion against President @realDonaldTrump during CPAC( a request which I laughed at due to it being nearly impossible). Exclusive stories important to U.S. national security were turned down without any explanation (I would pass on my leads to other colleagues at U.S. networks so the stories wouldn’t go uncovered ). During President Trump’s first term, lines were clear, and journalistic angles were clear in regards to the likes of…
Hezbollah, Iranian militias, etc., post-2020 elections, things took a quick and sharp turn, and a control operation started to mature. A colleague of mine was suspended for 7 days for a simple challenge question to an Iraqi politician on air, very professional and respectful. Another colleague was let go for a tweet criticizing an issue in Iraq.
What was notable, after our meeting, my colleague and I did not post about what happened( to gather the full information). Well , surprise surprise, a mouthpiece of a terrorist militia in Iraq learned about the matter from “sources within the channel” and reported it within hours after the meeting. A meeting so private that my own editors didn’t learn about it for over a day( I was still receiving assignment requests the next day via phone calls).
The MBN network contains highly skilled journalists, editors, and staff. Some of their leadership, however, is not so much. Networks funded by U.S. taxpayers to reflect a picture of American freedom, liberty, and dissent against bad figures around the world were turned into a machine of political influence away from their true purpose. Numbers were abysmal, and the influence on public opinion in the Middle East by the Network greatly depressed after 2020. @Pfeiffer47 @elonmusk @RichardGrenell @KariLake @CoryMillsFL @Mikeknightsiraq @michaelgwaltz @AlinaHabba @seanhannity @OS26 @AbrahamHamadeh @DanScavino
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