(RSF/IFEX) – On 14 February 2003, the American authorities asked the correspondent of the Iraqi news agency INA in New York to leave the United States within two weeks. According to a State Department spokesperson, Mohamed Hassan Alaoui stands accused of “engaging in activities outside his normal duties and considered prejudicial to national security.” The […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 14 February 2003, the American authorities asked the correspondent of the Iraqi news agency INA in New York to leave the United States within two weeks. According to a State Department spokesperson, Mohamed Hassan Alaoui stands accused of “engaging in activities outside his normal duties and considered prejudicial to national security.” The Iraqi authorities reacted the same day by ordering the expulsion of Greg Palkot, the correspondent for the American television station Fox News in Baghdad.
“Journalists should not be confused with spies. The American authorities should give evidence to support their accusations against the Iraqi news agency’s New York correspondent,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. “As for the reaction of the Iraqi authorities, it is completely unacceptable. Journalists should not be the subject of such cynical blackmail. They cannot be expelled at will or in a discriminatory manner depending on their nationality. Have the American and Iraqi authorities decided to start the war by using journalists as targets?” he added.
The United States has given Alaoui and his family two weeks to leave the country. Nothing has been specified as to whether the Iraqis would be allowed to send a replacement journalist. As for the American station Fox News – the most watched in the United States, ahead of CNN, according to the latest audience ratings – it has been authorised to keep three technicians in Baghdad. Palkot, who had been in Iraq for two weeks, is believed to have been expelled on 17 February. Discussions are reportedly underway with the Iraqi authorities to replace the reporter.
