The recent news reports pouring from Iraq states that the Iraqi government wants to impose new restrictions on the media, battling what it says are broadcasts that incite sectarian violence.According to Reuters, the new regulations states that all media and journalists seek permission to operate in Iraq from the Communications and Media Commission (CMC), submit lists of all staff and equipment, and pledge not to incite sectarianism or violence.
This is disturbing by all means.
Iraqi media was reborn after the fall of the Saddam totalitarian regime. After the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, media outlets started emerging. Today there are a few hundred media outlets that left the door open for freer debates and much more news Iraqis ever enjoyed.
Indeed, Some Iraqi media outlets-especially TV networks- have become too sectarian and have actually contributed to the sectarian fighting that reached its peak in 2006, killing hundreds of thousands of innocent people and causing a major refugee dilemma . However, letting the government take firm grip on the operation of the media outlets is nothing but a similar technique Saddam Hussein’s totalitarian regime used to control media and people, claiming it was protecting the people and the revolution.
Throughout the world, media pluralism and independence from the government is necessary to achieve democracy. Iraqi media is no different. It is one of the things that can maintain the country’s fragile and blood-covered democracy.
I believe media outlets like those inciting hatred and divisions can be fought by raising the awareness of the people, which can be done by creating reasonable independent media outlets that can make Iraqis think twice before deciding whom to believe.
