Faith vs. Freedom – Clergymen of a 2024/8/8
It has come as a norm that censorship is a rising tool to oppress expression, clergymen prevent many Journalistic crews from covering the Personal Status Law which the recent core of women’s protests being organized against amendments to the Personal Status Law in Najaf Thursday afternoon.
Reporter of “Al-Taghier” TV, Mohammed Razzaq and the cameraman, Mustafa Walaa, were covering the women’s protests, who stepped out with fury over the attempts to amend the Personal Status Law. However, they were surprised by clergymen who had organized a protest and demanded the journalists to stop their coverage and leave the square and bridges of the Thawrat Alishrin at once, threatening to confiscate their equipment if they continue.
Similar incidents occurred with journalists from other media outlets by a masked man, including “+964 Network” and “Dijla” TV.
The Press Freedom Advocacy Association condemns the prevention of co-workers from exercising their assigned duties and considers it a crystal-clear violation of the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of Journalistic and media work in the country.
They demand that Security Forces protect journalists during protests and remind everyone that Freedom of Speech and journalistic work are essential rights ; accordingly whoever prevents these rights is publicly considered a violator to The Law and Order.
