IRAQI JOURNALISTS CONTINUE THE ELUSIVE SEARCH FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001433 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI JOURNALISTS CONTINUE THE ELUSIVE SEARCH FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS REF: BAGHDAD 1077 Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Steve Walker for reason 1.4 ( d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a recent roundtable discussion, Iraqi journalists and representatives from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provided their views on freedom of the press, access to information and the influence of political parties on Iraqi media. Participants expressed a genuine fear of GOI prosecution, both civil and criminal, for any statements critical of the Iraqi administration, noting that some journalists receive multiple threats each day. They accepted that responsibility for advancing freedom of the press rests with Iraqis, and emphasized the need for a comprehensive law addressing issues central to the establishment of an independent media. The Embassy, in cooperation with various DRL grantees, is providing technical assistance to this end. End summary. -------------- Participants -------------- ¶2. (C) The following is a list of participants from the May 14 roundtable discussion held at the Al-Monsoor Hotel in Baghdad: Dr. Hamdan al-Salim, professor at Baghdad University's College of Information; Dr. Hassan Kamil, professor at Baghdad University's College of Information and deputy editor-in-chief of Al-Dustoor newspaper; Mahir Faisal Shair, independent journalist; Imad al-Ibadi, executive director of Al-Diyar satellite television channel; Dr. Nabeel Jasim, news and political programs director of Al-Sumarriya satellite television channel; Huda Jasim, director of Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper's Baghdad bureau; Nadhum al-Ighaili, editor of Al-Noor newspaper; Najha Kadhim, executive editor of Al-Noor newspaper; Ziyad al-Ajili, director of the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory (JFO); and Ibrahim al-Sarraj, director of the Iraqi Journalists' Rights Defense Association (IJRDA). In addition, representatives from the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) were present, as were the director and staff from the DRL-grantee International Research and Exchange Board's (IREX's) program Supporting Independent Media in Iraq (SIMI) and member of the Embassy's public affairs section. -------------- The "February 30 Committee" Begins Work -------------- ¶3. (C) At the behest of Poloffs, IREX country director Jacqueline Frank organized an off-the-record roundtable meeting on May 14 with members of the Iraqi media and representatives from NGOs working on press freedom in Iraq. The group, referring to themselves as the "February 30 Committee" because "the chance of there being freedom of the press in Iraq is about the same as the existence of the date February 30," were highly critical of GOI restrictions on the media. Noting that "all journalists complain and criticize government," Dr. Nabeel Jasim and Najha Kadim began the meeting by condemning the GOI's use of CPA Order 14, still in effect, to justify arrests and detentions of journalists, as well as confiscation of their equipment. Mahir Faisal Shair criticized the creation of a heavily sectarian press corps, including the many satellite channels backed by religious parties and organizations. ¶4. (C) A common theme among all participants was the need to establish an Iraqi press independent of GOI and major political party funding and oversight. Attendees discussed the difficulty in exposing fraud and corruption within the government, as such claims, even if true, would likely lead to civil or criminal prosecution, confiscation of property and equipment and further censorship. Imad al-Ibadi noted Qand equipment and further censorship. Imad al-Ibadi noted how his satellite channel, Al-Diyar, was recently fined 10 million Iraqi Dinars (approximately $8,600) for broadcasting a member of parliament's statement regarding corruption within the Ministry of Trade. Ziyad al-Ajili commented that "there is no such thing as freedom of press in Iraq; it does not exist," noting that "Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) approval is required to do any work." He also lamented the lack of access to information from ministries and the parliament and the general lack of transparency in government. "If given the choice between freedom of the press with no government, or government without freedom of the press, I would choose the former," he stated. Unlike the initial few speakers, al-Ajili agreed that the lack of a free press was an Iraqi problem requiring an Iraqi solution. He stated that a freedom of information law would be a good first step, and one that was realistic politically. -------------- -------------- BAGHDAD 00001433 002 OF 002 New Media Law is Imperative to Protect Press Freedoms -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) The group was unanimous in its support for the drafting of a comprehensive law to address freedom of the press, freedom of information, and freedom of expression. Nadhum al-Ighaili emphasized that while such a law was the responsibility of Iraqis, they would appreciate the political and technical support of the USG and the United Nations. (Note: IREX has previously worked with journalists a media law. Dr. Hassan Kamil echoed this statement, noting that a clear legal foundation is necessary to produce such a "democratic shift" in Iraq, one that truly changes society's institutions. Many journalists fear arrest and prosecution for any statements made against the administration, which Dr. Kamil noted produces a chilling effect on their ability to publish. Huda Jasim agreed with this sentiment, adding that journalists are fearful of being "killed in the street" for exposing government corruption. A law which addresses freedom of the press and access to information would, in her view, be a positive first step toward fixing the system. ¶6. (C) Finally, Dr. Hamdan al-Salim discussed the importance of proper education and training in establishing a truly professional press corps. The attendees expressed the hope that Iraqi journalists would have the opportunity to visit their counterparts in the U.S. through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP); Ziyad al-Ajili, a former participant in the IVLP, provided the group with a well-received account of his experiences with the program. ¶7. (SBU) Poloffs on May 18 met with IREX and the Institute for International Law and Human Rights (IILHR),another DRL grantee, to map out a strategy for USG assistance to the "February 30 Committee." IILHR will work with the "February 30 Committee" to provide the group with critiques of draft Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Information Laws. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) This was the third meeting coordinated by IREX to address freedom of the press issues with Iraqi journalists (reftel). While the attendees had many negative things to say about the manner in which the media is treated by the GOI, and were generally of the view that the press had limited, if any, freedom of expression, it was encouraging that they view this as an Iraqi problem requiring an Iraqi solution. There was a definite consensus that the situation will improve dramatically if the parliament passes a comprehensive media law addressing their concerns. The Embassy, along with its DRL grantees, will work with the "February 30 Committee" to assist them in drafting this legislation and pushing it through parliament. HILL