When I invited them to come and see us at the base, the other journalists said, 'Why have you invited them? They are not pro MNF (multi-national force)?'"The daughter of a Royal Engineers commando from Plymouth, Capt Goodall developed her obvious affection for the Arabic world during a year in Egypt studying Middle Eastern politics. We (British) have funded some (the first newspaper in Al Amara) and we obviously monitor it but if they don't print anything ridiculous we leave them to it."There is also an Iranian-backed television station. She explained: "Some of the new media are actually funded by the US and it is almost propaganda. We need to get the word out to the local people."The task is further complicated by the knowledge that each organisation has funding and forces behind it. If I can just maintain co-operation between us, hopefully we will see some good. "The big story in Basra was that the Americans were coming down and taking over The British were moving out. Our biggest policy is getting the truth out as quickly as possible If we leave it, it just blows up The rumour mill is incredibly powerful.

The story had come from a local farmer through the Ministry of Environment I had to laugh. Where the hell is a British soldier going to get snake eggs?" she said.When the previous British brigade handed over to the new one in May, the number of troop movements was immediately noticed in town. He has now moved to an unknown address and feels too threatened to come out to the airport (base)."To a population living constantly in danger, on edge and mistrustful of authority, rumours spring up and spread like wild fire."One of the new television stations rang me up to ask me whether it was true that soldiers were burying cobra and crocodile eggs in the area around Al Amara. He had been taken out of his company and shot in the head and left in Basra. A simple trip to the British base to attend a press conference can be fraught with dangers and she seethes silently with protective anger when a VIP fails to spare "her" Iraqi media more than five minutes after they have taken such risks."One of the older journalists was very scared He explained that his brother had been killed. The past couple of months have made her painfully aware of the dangers faced by reporters, many of whom receive regular threats. But we have overcome the barrier of shock and they are now just a little bit intrigued."In turn she has developed a loyalty and respect for her new contacts, whom she refers to almost maternally as "my journalists".

Eighty per cent of the time, I would say, they quote me correctly."I have some characters Some are a bit cheeky, others very respectful Some were a little bit nervous dealing with a woman. The first question is always: are you married, have you got children? Then it is 'Why does your husband let you come out here?'. You do get the odd religious fanatic on TV but for the most part they do try to report what is going on. "They are striving to build up a free press and are very enthusiastic. It was almost as if they were looking around for a man to walk in."The job, however, has given her an opportunity to observe the fascinating dynamics between world-weary older journalists, who had become accustomed to ducking the previous regime, and the enthusiasm - and at times naivety - of new recruits to the profession."I have some incredibly professional journalists, those from al-Jazeera for example, but some of the local media are just starting out and finding their feet," she explained. When I turned up to meet the Iraqi army they looked at me very strangely.

My predecessor was a big burly infantry officer, very quiet and very calm, completely different from me. Captain Goodall's arrival was greeted with a certain amount of shock and awe by the predominantly male journalists and Iraqi army officers with whom she deals. "There was utter shock," said the 28-year-old "Jaws dropped. Yet in today's increasingly repressive religious climate in Iraq, women are not always treated with equal respect. While the British press may have a political impact back home, failing to deal with the increasing number of Arabic news organisations or communicate with the population of the city can have an immediately brutal and bloody effect. Three months ago when the military decided to put a woman into the post of Arabic spokesperson in Basra, a few eyebrows were raised. The forces have come to realise the crucial role the local media plays in its daily operations. It would be an otherwise mundane scene if it were not for the fact that Captain Goodall is a British army officer and the man on the end of the line an Iraqi journalist.

Kelly Goodall sits at her desk in fits of laughter at the comments emanating from her phone. This, anyway, is the solemn hope of all those who aspire to membership of the Brodie Gang.Matthew Norman is away. Yes, his colleague admitted, he had thrown at his bedroom wall. Such horrors were no doubt beyond the imagination of Saunders of the Liver and certainly the prospect of them seem remote in 21st-century Germany. Collins, who normally loved such a challenge, was quickly discouraged The machine was lifeless Then he turned it over and saw a jumble of wires. For years he was the last hope of distraught sports writers trying to nurse their machines back to life On one occasion, he was awakened by a desperate colleague.