Watchdog groups concerned about new media commission

International media watchdog groups have raised concerns over the introduction of a new media commission in Iraq, which they say could restrict press freedom. "Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is extremely concerned that the Iraqi government might be tempted to set up prohibitions on news coverage, and in particular ban certain criticism of the prime minister," Severine Cazes, head of RSF's Middle East desk, told IRIN from Paris. She added that the role and powers of the "Higher Media Commission" urgently needed to be publicly clarified. "Local journalists are hardly able to identify which body is responsible for what and who can be held accountable for what," she asserted. The reaction follows a statement by the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) which said it was "deeply troubled" by the news of a media regulatory commission that reportedly had the authority to restrict news coverage. The CPJ wrote to Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, calling on him to "clarify the role and function" of the commission and "ensure that any official regulation of the media conforms with international standards for a free press". This statement followed a report by the UK Financial Times newspaper at the end of July which reported that Iraqi officials had created a "Higher Media Commission" responsible for regulating print and broadcast media and imposing sanctions against violators. "Ibrahim Janabi, head of the commission, told The Financial Times that officials were drafting a list of prohibitions on news coverage that would include bans against certain criticisms of the prime minister," a CPJ statement said. In an interview with the CPJ, Allawi's spokesman George Sada confirmed the creation of the commission and said the body was created to "organise the work of the media". But he added that he had no further details of the commission's powers and activities. Cazes pointed out that there had already been instances in Iraq where press freedom had been curbed. "The harsh criticism expressed at the end of July by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari against satellite [TV] channels, al-Jazeera especially, is also worrisome. It indicates a temptation to adopt again a wrong attitude such as when the previous Governing Council limited for one month, in January 2004, the activities of al-Jazeera in Iraq, banning it from entering its offices and covering its news conferences." Months before, al-Jazeera and another satellite TV channel, al-Arabiya, had been temporarily forbidden from working in the country, she added. "The task of the new media commission should be to establish trust between the state and the media professionals and institutions, not to adopt an aggressive attitude towards the media," she maintained. However, Cazes described the decree issued on 19 July by Allawi to reopen the weekly al-Hawza, a controversial newspaper linked to cleric Moqtada Sadr that had been closed by US officials in March, as a positive sign for journalists. "Although RSF understands the complexity of the present security situation in Iraq, that might call for some limits on news coverage, the authorities should always favour dialogue and consultation with the journalists' organisations and the media, rather than issuing bans or restrictive laws." Press freedom in Iraq is not comparable with the total control over the media that used to be imposed under Saddam Hussein's regime, RSF said, as Iraqi and foreign journalists have gained a lot more freedom and independence. "Nevertheless, threats, political pressures and a legal vacuum still do not guarantee a satisfying level of press freedom," Cazes added. Iraqi journalists report being under threats from various sides: political parties, social and tribal leaders; the Coalition forces whose nervousness puts them at risk of being shot at when travelling; and armed groups and Islamic militants who also threaten their security, according to the media watchdog. RSF also calls for legal work to begin as soon as possible in order to draft liberal and democratic media regulations and laws that fit international standards for a free press, fill the present legal void and replace the harsh legislation of Saddam Hussein's era.