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The CPJ urged President Barzani to
publicly investigate a spate of violent attacks
against the press
5.5.2008
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In
meeting with CPJ, Barzani pledges climate ‘conducive
to journalism’
May 5, 2008
Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan Region, 'Iraq',-- The
Committee to Protect Journalists urged KRG President
Massoud Barzani on Sunday to publicly investigate a
spate of violent attacks against the press, end
official interference and harassment of journalists,
and support press legislation that conforms to
international standards of free expression.
A CPJ delegation met with Barzani at his
headquarters in the town of Salahuddin outside
Erbil, seat of the Kurdistan Regional Government,www.ekurd.net
and presented him with
CPJ’s report of
deteriorating press conditions in the region. In
“The Other Iraq,” CPJ said security forces have
harassed and detained independent journalists,
suspected government agents have assaulted critical
writers, and prosecutors have pursued criminal
charges against reporters. The report, released
publicly today, is available online. |
Massoud Barzani, the President of the autonomous Regional
Government of Kurdistan 'Iraq' |
Barzani
thanked CPJ for
its report and declared his government’s commitment
to “create an atmosphere that is conducive to
journalism.” Barzani bemoaned what he called the
lack of professionalism among journalists and said
their articles should be based on concrete
information. “The [media] should not be used as a
tool for denigrating others.”
When asked about the arrest and imprisonment of
journalists, Barzani told the delegation: “It would
be intolerable to have someone arrested in freedom
of expression cases … The security forces [are]
interested in terrorism—that is their main
objective.” Asked about harassment of journalists by
security forces, he added, “Instructions are very
clear that they should not violate rights of
individuals.”
The CPJ delegation included board member Michael
Massing, Deputy Director Robert Mahoney, and Middle
East Senior Program Coordinator Joel Campagna.
CPJ expressed concern about restrictive press
legislation passed by the KRG parliament late last
year but vetoed by Barzani. The bill would have
allowed the government to impose heavy fines and
close newspapers. A new bill is expected to be
debated by parliament soon. CPJ told Barzani that
the KRG has an opportunity to devise model press
legislation for the region by eliminating criminal
defamation, jail sentences, and other provisions
that violate international human rights and free
expression standards.
Today, the CPJ delegation met with the speaker of
the KRG parliament, Adnan Mufti, and urged him to
remove restrictive provisions still in the bill
under discussion by members of parliament.
Ideally, Mufti said, press legislation should
conform to international free expression standards.
He indicated changes might be made to Article 10 of
the bill, which imposes vague restrictions on
content and could enable the government to set heavy
fines and close newspapers.
Copyright, respective author or news agency, cpj org
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