The war in Iraq has prompted many stations to make program changes to cover the crisis in greater detail.

ABC Local Radio has introduced a series of Current Affairs specials after various news bulletins and Radio National has also made program changes.

Radio National has developed
a web page which details its latest coverage and analysis, known alterations to the schedule, audio
features and links to coverage on other ABC networks. (see link below).

In Parliament this week, Communications Minister Senator Alston congratulated the media for its support in broadcasting messages from and to the troops. He said:

I would also like to thank the Australian media outlets that have publicised
the messages to the troops facility and those
who have established their own messages of support
facilities. They include Channel 7, the Daily Telegraph,
the Herald Sun, radio 3AW, the Adelaide Advertiser
and Sunday Mail in Adelaide, the Northern
Territory News and the Townsville Bulletin.

And on a lighter note, whilst 60 Minutes’ Richard Carleton goes to Iraq in search of Saddam Hussein on television this Sunday night, on radio next Monday morning How Green Was My Cactus’ Richard Caviar actually tracks down Saddam Whosucks with his cache of chemical weapons, something that hundreds of weapons inspectors from the United Nations could not achieve.

How?? By telling a couple of teenagers that there were illegal chemical substances in hiding: found ’em all in 10 minutes flat.

The all new series of ‘Cactus’ returns to the airwaves Monday. More details from Bruce Ferrier at Grace Gibson Productions on (02) 9906 2244 or e-mail [email protected]