Iraq / Middle East & North Africa

  
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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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Getting Away with Murder

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…

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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Spanish freelance journalist Ferran Barber, seen in Iraqi Kurdistan moments before his arrest. Authorities detained Barber for weeks and he was deported on September 8. (Photo via Ferran Barber)

Spanish reporter Ferran Barber detained for weeks without charge, deported from Iraqi Kurdistan

Beirut, September 10, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned Iraqi Kurdistan authorities’ detention and deportation of Spanish freelance journalist Ferran Barber and urged the authorities to allow local and foreign journalists to do their jobs freely.

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Kurdish security forces are seen in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, on July 17, 2019. Journalist Bryar Muhamad Mustafa has been detained in Erbil since August 21. (Reuters/Azad Lashkari)

Journalist detained in Iraqi Kurdistan without charge since August 21

On August 21, 2019, in Topzawa, Iraqi Kurdistan, Asayish security forces affiliated with the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) arrested Roj News journalist Bryar Muhamad Mustafa, according to a report by his employer and a statement by the Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy, a local press freedom group.

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