Iraq Archives - Committee to Protect Journalists

Demonstrators are seen in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 6, 2019. One journalist was killed and another went missing after covering protests on December 6. (AP/Hadi Mizban)

One journalist killed, another missing amid protests in Iraq

December 9, 2019 12:50 PM EST

Beirut, December 9, 2019 — Iraqi authorities should conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the abduction of journalist Zaid Mohammed al-Khafaji, secure his release, and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Iraqi security forces are seen in Baghdad on November 23, 2019. Security forces recently raided and shuttered broadcaster Dijlah TV. (Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani)

Iraqi security forces shutter Baghdad office of Dijlah TV broadcaster

November 27, 2019 10:13 AM EST

Beirut, November 27, 2019 — Iraqi authorities should allow Amman-based broadcaster Dijlah TV to reopen, and should cease forcing news outlets off the air for their coverage, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

People watch television in Najaf, Iraq, on October 31, 2019. Iraq's media regulator recently ordered the closure of 12 broadcast outlets throughout the country. (AFP/Haidar Hamdani)

Iraq media regulator orders closure of 12 broadcast news outlets

November 25, 2019 3:41 PM EST

Beirut, November 25, 2019 — Iraq’s media regulator should reverse its decision to order the closure of 12 broadcasters over a licensing dispute and should allow media outlets to freely cover protests in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

A demonstrator distributes a newspaper in Baghdad, Iraq, on November 17, 2019. A journalist was recently abducted and a broadcaster's office attacked amid the demonstrations. (Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani)

Journalist temporarily abducted, TV office attacked amid protests in Iraq

November 20, 2019 4:38 PM EST

Beirut, November 20, 2019 — Iraqi authorities should conduct swift and transparent investigations into the temporary abduction of journalist Mohammad Qahtan al-Shamari and the attack on the Al-Arabi TV offices in Baghdad, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

The city of Zakho in Iraq, in October 2017. Kurdish security forces detained a journalist for nearly two weeks in Zakho and Duhok, after he returned from a reporting trip to Syria. (Reuters/Ari Jalal)

Assyrian journalist detained in Iraq for 13 days after reporting trip to Syria

November 13, 2019 2:54 PM EST

Kurdish Asayish security forces detained William Bnyameen Adam, an Assyrian journalist, for 13 days after the contributor to the California-based broadcaster Assyrian National Broadcasting (ANB) returned from a two-week assignment in northern Syria, the journalist told CPJ. The journalist said that security forces confiscated his equipment, beat him, and questioned him about his reporting.

Demonstrators are seen in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 25, 2019. Journalists have been attacked and detained amid the protests. (Reuters/Thaier Al-Sudani)

Journalists injured and detained, broadcasters banned as protests resume in Iraq

October 29, 2019 11:20 AM EDT

Beirut, October 29, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned recent attacks on journalists and media outlets in Iraq, and urged authorities to ensure that journalists can cover the ongoing protests in the country safely and without obstruction.

Getting Away with Murder

October 29, 2019 8:00 AM EDT

CPJ’s 2019 Global Impunity Index spotlights countries where journalists are slain and their killers go free Published October 29, 2019 Somalia is the world’s worst country for the fifth year in a row when it comes to prosecuting murderers of journalists, CPJ’s 2019 Global Impunity Index found. War and political instability have fostered a deadly…

An Iraqi federal police officer is seen in Baghdad on October 7, 2019. Iraqi blogger Shojaa Fares al-Khafaji was recently detained by unidentified men. (Reuters/Wissm al-Okili)

Unidentified gunmen detain Iraqi blogger Shojaa al-Khafaji

October 17, 2019 3:55 PM EDT

Beirut, October 17, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Iraqi authorities to disclose whether they have custody of Iraqi blogger Shojaa Fares al-Khafaji and if not, to immediately open an investigation after unidentified armed men took him from his home.

Iraqi police are seen in Maysan province, south of Baghdad, Iraq, on October 4, 2019. Four broadcasters in Baghdad were recently raided by unidentified assailants. (Reuters/Essam al-Sudani)

Unidentified assailants raid 4 broadcasters in Baghdad, assault staffers

October 7, 2019 2:20 PM EDT

Beirut, October 7, 2019 — Iraqi authorities should immediately investigate the recent attacks against four broadcasters in Baghdad and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Security forces and protesters are seen in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 2, 2019. Security forces have harassed reporters covering the protests, and authorities recently cut internet access to much of the country. (Reuters/Khalid al-Mousily)

Iraqi authorities obstruct journalists, cut internet access amid protests

October 4, 2019 8:55 AM EDT

Beirut, October 4, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned restrictions on news coverage of protests in Iraq and called on authorities to unblock news and social media websites throughout the country and let the press operate freely.