(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ Calls on Iraq to “Face The World” and Lift Threat to Expel Journalists The International Federation of Journalists today called on Iraq to withdraw its threat to remove foreign correspondents from the country next week. “In a time of crisis Iraq should have the courage […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release:
IFJ Calls on Iraq to “Face The World” and Lift Threat to Expel Journalists
The International Federation of Journalists today called on Iraq to withdraw its threat to remove foreign correspondents from the country next week.
“In a time of crisis Iraq should have the courage to face the world,” said Aidan White, General Secretary of the IFJ. “This is not the moment to turn to propoganda above professional reporting of events inside the country.”
The Iraqi move, announced yesterday, follows complaints about the reporting of some foreign journalists on assignment in the country. The government says it will allow a small number of correspondents back in, but only if they agree to work under tough new rules. The proposed restrictions will limit foreign news groups to one non-Iraqi journalist per organisation, who will be permitted to remain in Iraq for a maximum of 10 days at a time.
“This news is bad for world opinion and bad for Iraq,” said White. “People all around the world are hungry for news about what is happening in the region. Evicting journalists will not give them access to the truth, it will only promote ignorance, speculation and rumour.”
The IFJ also warned that if the only news reporting inside the country comes from Iraqi journalists there will be a shadow cast over the quality of information. “Many Iraqi journalists strive for professionalism, but the fact is that reporters are unable to report freely in a political climate hostile to independent journalism,” said White.
The action is reported to be retaliation by the Iraqi government over reporting by the US network CNN and allegations that CNN is a mouthpiece of the U.S. government.
“This is a bizarre way to confront so-called bias,” said White. “If the government believes what it is saying, it should be opening up the country to journalists from all networks. The professionalism of journalists is at its highest when there is full reporting of events by a wide variety of media. We can only conclude that the complaint of bias is just an excuse to intimidate independent media voices.”
The IFJ says that the reporting of the current crisis is a severe test for journalists. “Everyone wants the media to report only their side of the story,” said White, “but that’s not our role. Governments on all sides should resist the temptation to apply pressure on media. People need reliable, impartial and timely information, not a media message manipulated by politicians.”
The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.
