Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Communications and Media Commission is imposing hiddenrestrictions on journalists and digital platforms by secretly pressuringcompanies to block online content, the Alliance for Freedom of Expression inIraq (AEFI) said on Saturday.
Meta confirmed it had restricted access to two posts on itsplatform at the request of the Iraqi government. A report by the Center forTransparency said the Communications and Media Commission flagged the contentover allegations of corruption and judicial bias, warning that failure tocomply could trigger advertising bans and blocked payments from Iraq’s CentralBank.
Citing legal violations, AEFI considered the movecontradicts Article 38 of the Iraqi Constitution, which guarantees freedom ofexpression and publication within the bounds of public order and morality. Italso invoked Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and PoliticalRights, which protects the right to access and share information without undueinterference.
Read more: The Fine Print of Freedom: Iraq to amend Freedom of Expression and Peaceful Assembly Law
AEFI warned that agreements granting government agencies theability to block content or access data without judicial oversight “risksuffocating independent journalism and shrinking space for public discourse.”
Urging state intervention, AEFI called on Iraq’s presidency,parliament, and government to halt the Commission’s censorship measures andreview any agreements with international tech companies that restrictpublishing rights. It also proposed forming an independent committee—includingmembers of the judiciary and civil society—to examine the Commission’s conductand hold officials accountable.
Despite modest improvements in press freedom rankings, Iraqremains one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists, with over500 killed since 2003, NGO officials pointed out. Rights groups warn thatwithout legal reform and real protection, independent journalism in Iraq riskscollapse.
Read more: Silenced voices: The treacherous reality for journalists in Iraq
About the Alliance
The Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Iraq (AEFI) is acoalition funded and coordinated by the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights(IOHR).
It brings together over 100 organizations, mediaprofessionals, and individual advocates working across Iraq to “promote anddefend the right to freedom of expression, press freedom, and access toinformation.”
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