The US announced today it is to begin broadcasting television programmes to the Iraqi people.
"Freedom TV" will be broadcast into millions of homes from America's Commando Solo flying studio, based aboard a C130 Hercules transport plane circling in the skies above Iraq.
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British Prime Minister Tony Blair in a recording to be broadcast on "Freedom TV"
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It is designed to give the Iraqi people their first taste of TV not devoted to Saddam and his regime for decades.
Coalition forces aim to supply five hours of Arab language broadcasting covering everything from news bulletins, to public service announcements - for example about water supplies or aid deliveries - to arts features.
The TV station's first broadcast later today will feature specially recorded addresses from the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair and US President Mr George W. Bush.
Under Saddam, satellite dishes were banned and the only terrestrial TV diet on offer was endless state TV programming usually featuring hours on end of "patriotic" songs and addresses or statements by Saddam.
Last weekend, said Downing Street, Iraqi TV's seven-and-a-half hours of programming consisted of 62 patriotic songs, 56 items on regime activities, and nine statements on behalf of Saddam.
"Freedom TV" claims it is not propaganda, and it will broadcast using the old Iraqi state TV signal. Freedom Radio began broadcasting on March 20th, also using the Commando Solo aircraft.