The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a call for the Iraqi authorities to take immediate action to reopen the Al-Baghdadia TV satellite channel and release its director and presenter, Ali Al-Dhabhawi. The channel’s closure and Al-Dhabhawi’s imprisonment represent what has been described as a concerning trend in the Iraqi government’s approach to independent media.
Doja Daoud, CPJ’s Levant Program Coordinator, characterized these recent actions as alarming. Raiding newsrooms and using questionable criminal charges to silence dissent underscore a broader crackdown on media freedoms. According to Article 19, Al-Dhabhawi faces a three-year jail sentence following his conviction under Articles 230 and 430 of the Iraqi Penal Code. His charges emerged after he openly criticized the National Intelligence Service, leading to the raid on both the TV channel’s office in Baghdad and his home.
The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) contends that Al-Baghdadia TV does not possess a valid license to broadcast, justifying the recent enforcement actions. This led to the arrest of six journalists associated with the channel, accused of disturbing the authorities. Although these journalists were released on bail, some employees have gone into hiding.
Wahab Al-Janabi, representing the journalists, disclosed that the charges against Al-Dhabhawi include allegations of assaulting police officers in Najaf and threats against a civilian at a medical complex, claims which he vigorously denies. Media freedom advocates, including Reporters Without Borders, have condemned the closure as arbitrary, urging the restoration of Al-Baghdadia’s license.
Iraq’s position in the World Press Freedom Index, currently ranked 156th out of 180 countries, reflects ongoing challenges faced by media outlets. The pressure on journalists is further highlighted by the recent shutdowns of other media entities, such as Media21 and Iraq AlHadath, within the last two months.
These developments can be seen in the context of a broader pattern of media suppression in Iraq, as detailed by JURIST. The global community continues to watch closely, advocating for a media environment where journalists can carry out their work without fear of reprisal and ensure that freedom of expression is upheld.
Read more about the situation and further details here.