Iraqi Kurdistan: Riots lead to press freedom abuses

December 7th, 2011

Six media offices have been attacked, and 16 journalists have been threatened and assaulted in Iraqi Kurdistan during widespread riots. The offices of a number of media organisations owned by opposition group the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) were set on fire. KIU offices in the cities of Dohuk, Zakho, and Simel were also attacked. Local reports stated that between six and 10 KIU journalists had been arrested since 2 December.

Journalists prevented from covering Iraqi protests

April 21st, 2010

Journalists were assaulted by police officers while covering protests in Sulaimaniya in Iraqi Kurdistan on 17 and 20 April. On Saturday, media employees were obstructed from reporting clashes between security forces and students following a ministry of education’s decision to change schools grading system. Soran Ahmed, reporter for the independent biweekly Hawlati, who told CPJ: “They beat me, seized my camera and my phone, handcuffed me and forced me into a police van.” On Tuesday, journalists were again prevented from covering protests in front of the General Directorate of Education.