IRAQ: Watchdogs Raise Alarm for Media Freedom

Global press freedom groups point to what they see as a growing trend: restricted media freedom in Iraq. The article's author claims that a few of the newspapers that have begun publishing since April 2003 "have been summarily closed" after the USA-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) accused them of inciting violence against occupation forces. In addition, he points out that the Iraq Media Network, a CPA-run project organised by a USA defence contractor, "has reportedly taken over a number of radio stations in various parts of the country, effectively silencing independent voices." A number of human rights groups have expressed concern about the reasons for, and circumstances surrounding, recent attacks on reporters. 5 reporters have been killed by USA fire in Iraq since the beginning of the war; others have been injured or have narrowly escaped injury.

Reporters sans frontières (RSF) is particularly concerned about a decision made in September 2003 to bar 2 major Arab satellite TV stations - al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya - from Iraqi government ministries and CPA press events. Members of the governing council, which makes recommendations to the CPA, pointed to "irresponsible activities" on the part of these stations that threaten the country's "democracy and stability". One spokesman said: "This is not censorship. This is putting a stop to a system which is well funded by governments to promote violence in Iraq," he said, citing broadcasts by the stations of tapes of Saddam Hussein and others calling for resistance against the occupation. USA officials have criticised the stations in the past, accusing them of giving too much coverage to attacks on USA forces and not enough on the CPA's efforts to restore services and encourage civic participation.

RSF's director reacted to the decision by saying, "When media such as these broadcast calls by terrorist groups or extremist political parties for armed violence, they are not themselves guilty of incitement to violence. They are doing their job of informing the public and dealing journalistically with the important subject of terrorism, a phenomenon they have not themselves created."

Click here for the full article on the Inter Press Service news agency site.