In response to [Tuesday's] sentencing of Iraqi Kurdish freelance journalists Sherwan Amin Sherwani and Guhdar Zebari to six years each in jail, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued the following statement: "Today's sentencing of journalists Sherwan Amin Sherwani and Guhdar Zebari is not only unfair and disproportionate, but it also proves that the […]
Tag Archives | press freedom
RSF Condemns Arrests of Journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan
Wave of arrests of journalists covering protests in Iraqi Kurdistan Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns a wave of press freedom violations in northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, where at least 10 journalists have been arrested while covering peaceful protests during the past week, one has been placed in pre-trial detention and a regional TV channel, […]
Tags: censorship, featured, Human rights, journalism, KRG, Kurdistan News, mn, NRT TV, press freedom, Reporters Sans Frontières, Reporters Without Borders, RSF
Activists fear Iraqi Cybercrime Law could Limit Press Freedom
By Omar Sattar for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Activists fear Iraqi cybercrime law could limit press freedoms The Iraqi cybercrime bill makes a reappearance amid widespread objections by civilians and activists who label it as repressive of […]
HRW: Scrap Bill to Restrict Free Speech
Iraqi lawmakers are considering a draft law on information technology crimes that could be used to stifle free expression, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said this week. It says the bill includes vague provisions that will allow Iraqi authorities to harshly punish expression they decide constitutes a threat to governmental, social, or religious interests. More here. […]
Iraqi Kurdish Police Arrest Journalist for "Defamation"
From the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): Iraqi Kurdish police arrest journalist Bahroz Jaafer over criminal defamation suit filed by Iraq's president Kurdish authorities in Iraq should immediately release journalist Bahroz Jaafer, drop all charges against him, and allow the press to cover and write critically about politicians without fear of detention or legal action, […]
Tags: Barham Salah, Barham Saleh, Barham Salih, censorship, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), featured, Human rights, Kurdistan News, mn, Police, press freedom
Arrest Warrant for owner of Iraqi Broadcaster
Baghdad court issues arrest warrant for owner of Iraqi broadcaster Dijlah TV Iraqi authorities should immediately drop the arrest warrant for Jamal Karbouli, the Iraqi owner of Amman-based Dijlah TV, and allow Dijlah TV to operate freely and without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said on Tuesday. Dijlah TV has an […]
Tags: censorship, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Dijlah TV, featured, Human rights, Jordan, mn, press freedom
Iraqi Kurdish authorities shutter NRT offices
Iraqi Kurdish authorities should cease harassing broadcaster NRT, release journalist Ahmed Zakhoy without charge, and allow the outlet to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said. Yesterday, agents of the Asayish intelligence agency, affiliated with the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party, raided NRT's office in the western city of Duhok, according to a […]
Tags: censorship, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), featured, Human rights, KRG, Kurdistan News, mn, NRT TV, press freedom
Journalists, Critics Threatened & Harassed in Iraq
By John Lee. As decades of war and occupation come to an end, Iraqis are confronting their new era head on. A massive wave of protests across the country demanding an end to corruption and respect for human rights toppled the government in 2019. With a new prime minister in place who speaks directly to […]
Iraq: Urgent Need for Free Speech Protection
By John Lee. A spike in violations of the right to free expression during widespread protests at the end of the former government's term in office and during the Covid-19 pandemic underscores the need for Iraq's new government to reform its laws, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released on Monday. Iraqi authorities, […]
Iraq Falls in World Press Freedom Index
By John Lee. Iraq has fallen in the World Press Freedom Index for 2020, ranking 162nd out of 180 countries, down six place on last year. The result puts Iraq behind countries such as Turkey and Sudan, but ahead of Iran and Libya. First place went to Norway, with North Korea coming last. Reporters Without […]
Iraq Lifts Suspension of Reuters' Licence
By John Lee. Iraq's Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has reportedly lifted its suspension of Reuters' licence to work in the country. The regulator had revoked the licence for three months and imposed a fine of 25 million dinars ($21,000) for what it said was the news agency's violation of the rules of media broadcasting. […]
President Salih: CMC Suspension of Reuters "Regretable"
By John Lee. Reuters has confirmed that Iraq's media regulator has suspended its licence after the news agency published a story saying the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country was higher than officially reported. The Communications and Media Commission (CMC) said it was revoking the licence for three months and imposing a fine […]