20/8/2025
The Iraqi Communication and Media Commission issued a decision to suspend a TV program on Al-Rasheed satellite channel, citing violations and breaches of media standards.
An official document from the Commission stated that the program “With Yasser Amer”, aired on Al-Rasheed TV, has been suspended for 30 days. The decision was based on alleged violations of the Commission’s broadcasting rules and regulations.
In response, the Press Freedom Advocacy Association expressed solidarity with journalist Yasser Amer, stressing that the Commission’s decision constitutes a breach of the constitution and an overreach of its authority, since it is a regulatory body, not a judicial one, and therefore lacks the jurisdiction to issue punitive rulings or decisions.
The Association warned that such actions negatively impact media freedoms and threaten the democracy guaranteed by the constitution. It also cautioned against further decisions the Commission intends to impose on media outlets and TV programs, describing them as measures driven by clear political motives.
The Association called on the Commission to revoke these unfair decisions and reiterated its demand for the enactment of a Freedom of Information Law, considering it a fundamental step to end the systematic restrictions on freedom of expression and media in Iraq.
