"Satellite television has become an integral part of family life 24 hours per day. We are now free to watch any station," said Khawla Abdelwahab al-Qayissi, director at Baghdad University's psychological research centre.

Under the ousted Baath regime, the media spectrum was limited to state authorised television stations and one youth channel controlled by Saddam's eldest son Uday.

A few people managed to pick up foreign stations with well-hidden satellite dishes. Heavy fines and prison terms were likely had they been caught.

Today, the US-led coalition estimates that around 500,000 satellite dishes are in use and the devices are sprouting like mushrooms on buildings in the capital Baghdad.

"Anyone who has been deprived of something will throw themselves at it when they get the first opportunity," Qayissi said. "The phenomenon is spreading, and people who can't afford it even put themselves in debt for a dish."

In the poor district of Sadr City, plastic covers holes where glass should be in windows, but a television and satellite dish, which cost around 150 dollars on average, have pride of place in many of the small dwellings.

"Satellite television is a window on the world. Before we had no idea what was going on in other countries and even the news about Iraq was diluted," said Alia Hachem, a 22-year-old information technology student.

"The number of students in their first year has risen thanks to the quality image that journalists on these stations reflect," said the head of the Mustansiriya University communications faculty, Hamid Smayssim.

While adults follow the news on Al-Jazeera or Al-Arabiya, young people are now hooked on sitcoms, game shows and music programmes from Lebanon and Egypt.

The programme that beats them all is the Arabic version of "American Idol".

Until it was ordered off air, the LBCI channel was broadcasting the show 24 hours a day, unveiling the trials and tribulations of 16 girls and boys from Arab countries struggling to become music stars.

"I just couldn't get my children to change channel," complained Wael al-Ani.

"These stations are helping us keep up with trends like make up or cooking," said Duaa Abdelfattah, 22, her eyes outlined in pastel rainbow colours.

At a chic boutique in the shopping area in the Karrada district, an employee explained how shopper's needs have changed.

"The clients want a shirt worn by one presenter or another and the same dress that a certain singer has," said the employee, Ziad Theodors, as he spread miniskirts and provocative see-through T-shirts on a counter.

He said his clients are mainly youths from all social classes, but he added that they usually only wear these garments "at girls-only parties".

"In some parts of Baghdad, girls put on T-shirts that reveal their midriffs, to look like television presenters. Iraqi society does not like the idea that children adopt those values," Qayissi said.

In Iraq, the shirts are known as "pardon-me-papas".

"The sexual impulses of youths are awoken by certain programmes," complined Shiekh Adbelsalam al-Qubayissi, a member of the committee of Sunni Ulema Muslims.

But many young people, who hunger for modernity after 13 years of international embargos, say they deserve more credit and can decide for themselves what is proper.

"Even if we watch all the stations, we only retain what is in accord with our traditions," said Adbelfattah.

WAR.WIRE