Iraq
Journalists face new restrictive rulesPosted Feb 13 2010
New rules for Iraqi journalists foreshadow a return to Saddam Hussein-like authoritarianism and censorship, critics say.
According to Reuters, The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) released a plan to begin licensing local and international broadcast media, to accredit individual journalists and require a list of employee names from each media outlet. The regulation also prohibits any writing that may incite sectarianism or violence but fails to set clear guidelines or criteria.
Consequences for violating the CMC ruling include “closure, suspensions, fines, and confiscation of equipment” according to Reuters.
“CPJ’s conclusion is that the regulations represent a clear and transparent effort to control the media, undermine its independence and allow the government to assert control over the information agenda,” says CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon.
The Iraqi constitution guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press but Simon and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) found the rules to “fall well short of international standards for freedom of expression.”
The orders come a month before the parliamentary election, in which Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is running for a second term.