The Media and Communications Commission confirmed Iraq’s commitment to international media conventions, and its endeavor to restore a pioneering role in the region by promoting freedom of expression, pluralism, and combating misinformation.

During the expanded workshop on the digital age, freedoms and democracy in Iraq, which was held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the head of the Commission, Ali Al-Muayyad, reviewed the great development witnessed by the media reality in Iraq after the year 2003, when the number of media outlets clearly increased, and all social components became represented by media outlets.

He also highlighted the qualitative achievement achieved in consolidating press freedom in Iraq, which was culminated in the historic decision of the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan, not to prosecute or arrest journalists and media professionals for any administrative or functional violations of their institutions.

Al-Moayyad stressed, ‘The current Iraqi government pays g
reat attention to supporting and developing media institutions,’ noting the recent approval to establish a specialized media city in accordance with international standards.

The Chairman of the Commission called on UNESCO and the participating elites to visit Baghdad and learn about the unique Iraqi democratic experience closely, urging all media organizations and institutions to be present directly in Baghdad to convey the true picture of Iraqi society, which is strongly making its way toward the better.

Al-Moayyad stressed the importance of combating the misuse of social media to spread hate speech and incite violence, pointing to the Commission’s efforts to send millions of text messages annually to enhance community security and combat extremism.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency