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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Iraqi authorities Wednesday to immediately reverse the unexplained suspension of Iraq AlHadath, a privately owned news channel based in Baghdad, after a surprise government raid forced it off air.
On July 1, a joint task force from Iraq’s Interior Ministry, National Security Service, and Communications and Media Commission entered the broadcaster’s headquarters and ordered an immediate halt to operations. Intervening authorities justified their entry on an unreleased court order. Staff members, speaking anonymously, said the closure likely stemmed from the channel’s coverage of sensitive topics, including government corruption.
“The shutdown of Iraq AlHadath without transparent justification represents a troubling move against press freedom in Iraq,” said CPJ’s regional director Sara Qudah. “We urge Iraqi authorities to reconsider this action and reaffirm their commitment to a free and independent press.”
Following the shutdown of Iraq AlHadath, the channel ceased website- and social-media-channel updates and aired a message stating: “Broadcast has been temporarily suspended.” The message was joined by the outlet’s slogan: “The Platform of Free Iraq.” Reports have said staff members hope to resume broadcasting next week.
Despite multiple requests, Iraqi government bodies, including the Communications and Media Commission and the Interior Ministry, have not provided comment. Iraq currently ranks 155th out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) Freedom Index, reflecting a reporting environment marked by intimidation and censorship.
The shutdown of Iraq AlHadath is the latest in a string of actions tightening control over journalism in the country. In May, CPJ condemned the seven-day suspension of the political talk show Al-Haq Yuqal (“The Truth Be Told”), hosted by journalist Adnan Al-Taie, for alleged violations of “public decency.” Authorities failed to specify which content had triggered the penalty, and past episodes were scrubbed from all platforms. The CPJ said the acts contribute to an environment of legal harassment and censorship.
In Iraqi Kurdistan, press advocates have raised alarm over the continued detention of investigative journalists. RSF recently demanded the immediate release of Bashdar Bazyani, founder of the digital outlet Media21, and Sherwan Sherwani, a veteran investigative journalist and editor of Bashur Magazine. Bazyani was arrested in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, in February shortly after launching Media21, which was subsequently shut down. RSF claims the charges—related to defamation and publishing false information—are baseless and stem from Bazyani’s investigations into industrial pollution and political misconduct.
The post Iraqi authorities shut down news channel for covering ‘sensitive topics’ appeared first on JURIST - News.
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On July 1, a joint task force from Iraq’s Interior Ministry, National Security Service, and Communications and Media Commission entered the broadcaster’s headquarters and ordered an immediate halt to operations. Intervening authorities justified their entry on an unreleased court order. Staff members, speaking anonymously, said the closure likely stemmed from the channel’s coverage of sensitive topics, including government corruption.
“The shutdown of Iraq AlHadath without transparent justification represents a troubling move against press freedom in Iraq,” said CPJ’s regional director Sara Qudah. “We urge Iraqi authorities to reconsider this action and reaffirm their commitment to a free and independent press.”
Following the shutdown of Iraq AlHadath, the channel ceased website- and social-media-channel updates and aired a message stating: “Broadcast has been temporarily suspended.” The message was joined by the outlet’s slogan: “The Platform of Free Iraq.” Reports have said staff members hope to resume broadcasting next week.
Despite multiple requests, Iraqi government bodies, including the Communications and Media Commission and the Interior Ministry, have not provided comment. Iraq currently ranks 155th out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) Freedom Index, reflecting a reporting environment marked by intimidation and censorship.
The shutdown of Iraq AlHadath is the latest in a string of actions tightening control over journalism in the country. In May, CPJ condemned the seven-day suspension of the political talk show Al-Haq Yuqal (“The Truth Be Told”), hosted by journalist Adnan Al-Taie, for alleged violations of “public decency.” Authorities failed to specify which content had triggered the penalty, and past episodes were scrubbed from all platforms. The CPJ said the acts contribute to an environment of legal harassment and censorship.
In Iraqi Kurdistan, press advocates have raised alarm over the continued detention of investigative journalists. RSF recently demanded the immediate release of Bashdar Bazyani, founder of the digital outlet Media21, and Sherwan Sherwani, a veteran investigative journalist and editor of Bashur Magazine. Bazyani was arrested in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, in February shortly after launching Media21, which was subsequently shut down. RSF claims the charges—related to defamation and publishing false information—are baseless and stem from Bazyani’s investigations into industrial pollution and political misconduct.
The post Iraqi authorities shut down news channel for covering ‘sensitive topics’ appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.