Eagle News (Mongolia)

Eagle TV (Ийгл Телевиз)

Country	Mongolia
Headquarters	Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Eagle TV (Mongolian: Ийгл Телевиз Iigl Televiz) is a television broadcaster in Mongolia. The station focuses on independent news, uncensored live audience feedback, and Protestant Christian programming.

History

From 1994 to 2002 Eagle Television was operated on terrestrial Channel 8 by Mongolian Broadcasting Company (MBC). MBC was a joint venture of the American nonprofit, AMONG Foundation, and Mongolia Media Corporation (MMC). In 2002, the American Tom Terry took over the management of MBC and Eagle TV.

Terry moved to transform the TV station’s struggling news and Christian programming in keeping with his vision of political freedom and the advocacy of Christianity. This proved to be a magnet of controversy as the station was opened to uncensored live commentary from viewers and launched the nation’s first live international news coverage. Uncensored public commentary was a radical change in Mongolia’s media and political landscape. Newspaper articles and criticism from public officials on Mongolia’s State run television were countered by Eagle TV openly advocating increased freedom of speech and press through television, and it launched a strategy to increase public input into Eagle TV’s on-air operations.

At the same time, unbeknown to Eagle TV’s viewers, the shareholders were embroiled in long-standing and severe disagreements over issues of contribution and control of the newly dynamic TV station. One month after achieving its highest-ever ratings, the shareholders abruptly closed the station as a result of legal threats and corporate infighting. The government of Mongolia, controlled by the former communist party, reacted by revoking MBC’s broadcast license, preventing the station from re-launching its operations.

After the station's closure, AMONG Foundation formed Eagle Broadcasting Company, appointing Tom Terry as Managing Director, and charging him with re-launching Eagle TV as a cable TV channel. About half a year later the new Eagle TV began broadcasting on SANSAR Cable as Mongolia’s first all-news cable channel.

Eagle TV launched a 24/7 news format with uncensored public commentary during live newscasts as a cornerstone of the station. In addition, it launched the nation’s first live coverage of in-country breaking news including the only all-day live coverage of Mongolia’s 2005 presidential election.

In light of the increasing popularity of Eagle TV’s cable operations, the former business partners AMONG and MMC negotiated their further cooperation over most of 2005. The talks resulted in an agreement in September 2005 for the Mongolian side to acquire the broadcast license for terrestrial Channel 8, and Eagle Broadcasting Company to have exclusive use of the channel for ten years, and exercising exclusive control over all television content during that period. Based upon the agreement the Mongolian government restored the license for Channel 8, paving the way for Eagle TV to return to its former channel.

On October 22, 2005, Eagle Television launched its Channel 8 broadcasts with live all-day coverage of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s visit to Mongolia.

Controversies

Within months after the re-launch, the station began programming 3-hour blocks of Christian history and educational programming 3 days a week. Eagle TV’s live public opinion calls during the news were also expanded. The moves strengthened the station’s reputation for freedom of speech and press leading to Eagle TV being selected over Mongolia’s State television MNB for an exclusive interview with U.S. President George W. Bush in the White House in November 2005. The interview and all-day coverage of the event resulted in a nearly week long attack by MNB against Eagle TV and the U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia, accusing both of deceiving the White House about Eagle TV’s operations in Mongolia.

During President Bush’s November 21, 2005 visit to Mongolia, Mongolian CIA Director Bilegt sent a letter to Tom Terry intimating that Eagle TV was involved in organized “conspiracy to take over the government illegally,” and airing “programs that show specific methods how to do a crime.” Terry immediately protested the government letter to then Prime Minister Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj. Within days the CIA rescinded the letter and issued an apology.

In January 2006, the news staff launched extensive live coverage of the breakdown of the government and eventual ouster of Prime Minister Elbegdorj from power. Some public officials blamed Tom Terry for stirring up political trouble. With renewed political protests against the government in March and April, Terry began blogging his disagreement with the protesters online, but insisted the TV station remain neutral in all coverage. On April 7 the “Truth” newspaper published an article declaring Terry a terrorist against the State and calling upon the government to investigate and monitor his activities and communications, and shut down Eagle TV.

In June 2006 Parliament Speaker Nyamdorj delivered a speech on the floor of the parliament chamber against Eagle Television, calling for the Foreign Minister, Justice Minister, and Prime Minister to investigate Terry’s activities and the policies of the TV station. Speaking of Terry’s management of the station the Speaker charged him with violating “the Mongolian people’s sovereignty and independence.” In a second session in July the Speaker added that Eagle Television was “appealing to dissolve the Great State Khural [parliament] and to gun down the Mongolian government leader.”

Terry has not responded to the charges made by the Speaker. In August 2006 Speaker Nyamdorj made a live hour-long appearance on Eagle TV, and when questioned about his statement, toned down his rhetoric. Nothing further on the matter has been heard from either party.

See also

• Media of Mongolia
• Communications in Mongolia
• Tom Terry

External links

• Official Site Template:Mn icon
• AMONG Foundation U.S.-based former owner of Eagle Television in Mongolia.