Iraqi entity clearly on our side

[tamiflyer]

Journalists in Iraq damn government record on freedom of information

Baghdad, June 27 (AKnews) - Iraqi journalists demanded today that the government implement "the highest level" of transparency and make provisions for freedom of information.

The managing editor of Mustaqilla (Independent) newspaper, Ahmed Rashid Shehani, told AKnews that "coordination between the [government] offices and media organizations is supposed to be done on the basis of professional and legal controls that do not hinder journalists in access to information.

"Some offices seek to hide the information that may affect the work of the ministers and agents in government ministries. A supreme council is supposed to be formed to support the government's media relations and facilitate access to government information regarding the implementation of key projects in the country."

The head of the Iraqi Center for Media Control Suhail al-Shami said that government offices withhold important information that has to do with administrative and financial corruption, especially in construction and development projects.

Salim Mashkur, a member of Communications and Media Authority, told AKnews that government departments are required to provide transparency and free access to information and support the delivery of accurate information to the citizen.

On the Iraqi government's decision to limit media statements to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and one official government spokesman, he said: "Limiting the media statements to the media spokesman will mean statements focus on the work of the government and do not to mention the attitudes and personal desires of state officials."

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110628064517/Journalists_in_Iraq_damn_government_record_on_freedom_of_information

[tjmunson]

From what I've heard, Iraq passed a law in 2003 that prohibits any news organization in Iraq from reporting information that could be considered detrimental to the economy of Iraq. This basically means that any news we get from Iraq is most likely poop. I don't see this changing any time soon.