Iraq

Also available in: Français Español عربي

Spotlight: Iraq Attacks Free Expression & the Law

In Iraqi Kurdistan, journalists are victim of political tension

22 March 2019
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Authorities are shuttering news outlets and arresting critical reporters.

Iraq Freedom of Assembly Free Expression & the Law

Targeting of activists and journalists continues in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan

GCHR urges the authorities in Kurdistan and the federal authorities in Iraq to respect public freedoms and refrain from targeting journalists and activists.

‎ Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)‎11 March 2019

Iraq Attacks

Iraqi photojournalist Samer Ali Hussain killed in unknown circumstances

GCHR is calling on Iraqi authorities to conduct an independent, impartial and thorough investigation into Hussain's murder.

‎ Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)‎14 January 2019

Iraq Attacks Freedom of Assembly

Continuing arrests of Basra protesters and four more demonstrators reported killed

Reports received by the GCHR confirmed that random arrests continue in September in Basra of dozens of demonstrators who participated in recent protests.

‎ Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)‎18 September 2018

Latest from Iraq

Iraqi security forces used tear gas and live bullets to disperse protesters in Basra

‎ Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)

Iraq Attacks Freedom of Assembly 6 September 2018
Iraqi authorities obstruct media coverage of protests

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Iraq Attacks 26 July 2018
Covering corruption exposes journalists to arrest in Iraq

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Iraq Free Expression & the Law 13 June 2018
TV crews assaulted, detained covering protests in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Iraq Attacks 27 March 2018
IFJ and its affiliate the Kurdistan Journalists Union (KJS) call for press freedom ahead of Iraqi elections

‎ International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Iraq Attacks 22 March 2018
Kurdistan Regional Government detains protesters, suppresses criticism

‎ Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Iraq Freedom of Assembly Free Expression & the Law 1 March 2018
Iraqi Kurdistan: The IFJ warns about media freedom violations in the region

‎ International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Iraq Impunity Attacks 7 February 2018
Alarming violence against journalists in northern Iraq

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Iraq Attacks 5 November 2017
Media targeted in Kurdistan referendum tension

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Access to Information Iraq Attacks 2 October 2017
Shifting security situation for journalists in Iraq

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Iraq Impunity Attacks 28 August 2017
Mosul blast kills French and Kurdish journalists, injures others

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Iraq Attacks 20 June 2017
Iraqi parliament slammed for bill restricting free speech

‎ Global Voices

Iraq Free Expression & the Law 30 May 2017
Armed forces in Iraqi Kurdistan shoot at protesters, killing one

‎ Human Rights Watch

Iraq Attacks Freedom of Assembly 5 April 2017
Iraqi Kurdish journalist killed by roadside bomb in Mosul

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists

Iraq Attacks 27 February 2017
Iraq shuts down internet to prevent cheating

‎ Global Voices

Iraq Digital Rights 10 February 2017
Protect journalists covering Battle of Mosul

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Iraq Attacks 31 October 2016
Iraqi media technician and journalist killed in separate attacks

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists

Iraq Attacks 26 August 2016
Kurdish reporter murdered, another killed while covering fighting

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Iraq Attacks 17 August 2016
Iraqi cameraman killed in southern Mosul

‎ International Federation of Journalists

Iraq Attacks 18 July 2016
Five injured in terrorist attack on Kurdish media network in Iraq

‎ International Federation of Journalists

Iraq Attacks 27 June 2016
Photojournalist killed by mortar in Iraq

‎ International Federation of Journalists

Iraq Attacks 17 June 2016
Iraq shuts down its internet, again

‎ Social Media Exchange - SMEX

Iraq Digital Rights 17 May 2016
Iraq bans Al Jazeera from operating within the country

‎ International Federation of Journalists

Iraq Censorship 28 April 2016
Two Iraqi broadcast journalists shot dead by masked men

‎ International Federation of Journalists

Iraq Attacks 13 January 2016
Journalists in Mosul dying amid resounding silence

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Iraq Attacks 29 October 2015
Anti-corruption protesters in Iraq facing beatings and abductions

‎ Human Rights Watch

Iraq Attacks 23 October 2015

At a glance

Most covered free expression issues in this country

More from Iraq

Freedom of the Press 2017: Iraq

The Communications and Media Commission (CMC) withdrew the television broadcast licenses of Al-Baghdadiya in March and Qatar’s Al-Jazeera in April for what critics said were political reasons.

Freedom House 28 April 2017
Risking Their Lives: Ongoing Attacks Against Journalists in Bahrain, Iraq, Syria and Yemen

Through this report the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) aims to highlight cases of ongoing killings, attacks and threats against journalists and other media workers in four countries, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and makes recommendations to enhance their protection using international mechanisms including the United Nations system.

Gulf Centre for Human Rights 13 September 2016
Freedom of the Press 2016: Iraq

Iraq had one of the highest murder rates for journalists in the world. Among those killed were Thaer al-Ali, editor in chief of the Mosul newspaper Rai al-Nas, and Jalaa al-Abadi, a cameraman for the Nineveh Reports’ Network.

Freedom House 23 April 2016