16 June 2003

Alert

CPJ expresses concern about Coalition Provisional Authority's efforts to regulate local media


Incident details

legal action
(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 June 2003 CPJ letter to Paul Bremer, senior administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq:

June 13, 2003

The Honorable L. Paul Bremer III
Senior Administrator
Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq
C/o The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301

Via facsimile: (703) 697-9080

Dear Mr. Bremer:

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is writing to express its concern about efforts underway by the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq to regulate local media.

U.S. officials have indicated that they have drafted new regulations prohibiting, among other things, "incitement" in Iraqi media. According to U.S. officials, the regulations aim to control inflammatory coverage in Iraqi media, including unsubstantiated news that officials believe will foment social unrest or hostility toward American troops. To CPJ's knowledge, details of the new regulations have not been released, but The Los Angeles Times reported this week that violators would face warnings, fines, and possible detention.

While we appreciate your concerns about false, misleading, or even fabricated news disseminated by media, we fear that the use of highly interpretative prohibitions such as "incitement" could be used to restrict media discourse. Moreover, we deplore any regulation that provides for the arrest or detention of journalists in response to what they publish.

As new Iraqi media emerges, it is imperative that they be allowed to operate in an environment free of government restrictions. That includes ensuring that newspapers and broadcasters can function free of unreasonable licensing regimes, censorship, criminal prosecution, and arrest or detention.

CPJ respectfully calls on you to make public any regulations devised by the coalition authority for Iraqi media. We also call on you to undertake all possible measures to ensure that Iraqi media is able to operate with maximum freedom and without official interference.

Sincerely,

Ann K. Cooper
Executive Director



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Updates to this story

Journalists face mounting obstacles and threats to their work 30 September 2003

At a glance

Iraq
Iraq
 
Key reports and information
  • Iraq’s Information Crimes Law

    Badly Written Provisions and Draconian Punishments Violate Due Process and Free Speech

    Human Rights Watch 12 July 2012

  • World Report 2012: Iraq

    "In April Iraq’s parliament approved a Journalists’ Protection Law, intended to protect media workers and compensate them for injuries sustained while working"

    Human Rights Watch 22 February 2012

  • Attacks on the Press in 2011: Iraq

    Iraq's impunity rate, "three times worse than any other nation"

    Committee to Protect Journalists 22 February 2012

  • Press Freedom Index 2011-2012: Iraq

    Iraq fell 22 places, from 130th to 152nd in annual press freedom index

    Reporters Without Borders 25 January 2012

 
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