Journalistic Freedoms Observatory Archives - Committee to Protect Journalists

Iraqi security forces assault, detain journalists covering Baghdad protests

August 31, 2022 4:28 PM EDT

New York, August 31, 2022 – Iraqi authorities should stop assaulting and detaining journalists and take all necessary measures to ensure their safety while reporting on mass political protests, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Monday, August 29, Iraqi security forces arrested, assaulted, or confiscated equipment from journalists with local and international outlets…

A protester uses his cell phone to film at a demonstration in Basra in January. Militias and Iraqi security forces are attacking and detaining journalists who cover protests in the city. (AFP/Hussein Faleh)

Iraqi militias use threats, violence to keep Basra press in line

February 19, 2019 1:43 PM EST

“You work against us. In your work, you criticize militias. We watched your videos and you talk against us. You will pay the price for it,” an anonymous voice said on the other end of the line to freelance reporter Azhar Al-Rubaie.

Authorities close Al-Baghdadia TV in Iraq, force staff out of channel’s offices

March 18, 2016 1:06 PM EDT

New York, March 18, 2016–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Iraqi authorities to restore the broadcasting license of the pro-Sunni satellite channel Al-Baghdadia TV, and to allow the channel to operate freely in Iraq.

Photos of children who lost their documents while fleeing militants in Mosul are displayed at an Iraqi passport office. Many journalists fled the violence but the fate of those who remained is hard to determine. (AFP/Safin Hamed)

Chasing ghosts: Tracking Iraq’s missing journalists in Islamic State stranglehold of Mosul

October 22, 2015 3:24 PM EDT

Amar hasn’t left his house in five days. Every evening he fears a knock on the door will bring militants who have been searching for him. He hasn’t earned a salary in more than a year and relies on a few trusted neighbors to bring him food.

Attacks on Iraqi journalists should be investigated

May 9, 2012 4:39 PM EDT

New York, May 9, 2012–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns two official attacks on journalists working in Iraqi Kurdistan, including the assault on a television news crew and the arrest of an editor whose articles alleged corruption. CPJ also calls for an investigation into a car bombing that wounded a journalist in Baghdad.

Kamiran Salaheddin, a TV anchor for the Salaheddin Channel, was killed by a car bomb in Tikrit on Monday. (AFP/Sabah Arar)

Iraqi TV anchor killed by car bomb

April 4, 2012 5:03 PM EDT

New York, April 4, 2012–Iraqi journalist Kamiran Salaheddin was killed when a bomb attached to his car exploded late Monday, according to news reports. CPJ is investigating the circumstances of the attack to determine whether it was related to his work.

Ziad al-Ajili, head of Baghdad's Journalistic Freedoms Observatory, inspects the aftermath of a raid on his office today. (AP/Hadi Mizban)

Libya: foreign reporters ‘outlaws’; Mideast attacks continue

February 23, 2011 5:55 PM EST

New York, February 23, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the ongoing attack on journalists and bloggers in the Middle East. Today the Libyan deputy foreign minister warned foreign journalists crossing the eastern border that they will be treated as “outlaws,” according to news reports. In Iraq, gunmen raided the office of a…

Two bills that would support the media have stalled in the Iraqi parliament, seen here on June 14, during its first session with new members. (AP/Hadi Mizban)

Iraq plans to establish special court for journalists

July 20, 2010 5:13 PM EDT

New York, July 20, 2010—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Court to disclose details about the decision to establish a new press court and to explain the mechanisms under which it will operate.