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.

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Participants
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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.

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The "February 30 Committee" Begins Work
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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.

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BAGHDAD 00001433 002 OF 002


New Media Law is Imperative to Protect Press Freedoms
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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.

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Comment
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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