Broadcast regulators shut down news station after 'offensive' remarks about Muqtada Al-Sadr aired
The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission has suspended the operations of Baghdadiya, a local TV channel, after supporters of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr gathered outside the channel's main office. The commission cited "violations of broadcast terms and a lack of security clearance" as reasons for the suspension.
Reports suggest that Sadr's followers convened at Baghdadiya's office in Baghdad's Waziriyah neighborhood, protesting remarks made by Ali Zabhawi, the anchor of "Studio Nine." They perceived his comments as insulting to Sadr and demanded a public apology.
Following the protest, a representative from the Iraqi Media and Communications Commission, with security personnel, arrived to halt the channel's operations. The commission shuttered offices in both the Waziriyah and Abu Nawas Street areas in central Baghdad.
While the official statement referred to broadcasting violations and security issues for the shutdown, it did not address the protest or detail Zabhawi's remarks.
Kurdistan 24, a pro-KDP news site, stated that the station's closure came after Sadr supporters' demonstration at the television studio.
You might wonder what Zabhawi said to upset both Sadr's followers and federal broadcast regulators to the point where the entire channel is shut down?
Here's the offending quote broadcast on Baghdadiya
"After Mr. [Sadr] announced a campaign for reforms, with promises to build 3,000 schools, we only see an effort to set up a library now. Just a place to sit, read, and organize books. He had claimed that Chinese or Thai companies would construct these 3,000 schools. But so far, there's no sign of progress. No schools are built, no government initiatives are in place, and it appears he's merely sitting at home, in his library, reading."
They appear to have shut down an entire television news channel over an anchor saying Sadr is a hobbyist librarian and avid book reader.
The freedom of expression and journalism in Iraq has been under increasing strain recently. Read the excellent New York Times piece below for more on that.
Macron to visit Iraq again
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to pay another visit to Iraq, confirmed by the media office of Prime Minister Sudani on Wednesday. The announcement followed a meeting between Sudani and Patrick Durel, the Advisor for Middle East and North Africa Affairs at the French Presidency.
In the statement released by the Prime Minister's office, it was noted that Durel, at the outset of their discussion, extended his condolences to both the Iraqi government and its people over the tragic fire incident in the Hamdaniya district. He conveyed his heartfelt wishes for a quick recovery to those injured and for mercy upon the victims of the accident.
The focal point of the meeting was the forthcoming visit of President Macron to Iraq. The two officials also explored ways to foster the bilateral ties between France and Iraq. This comes in line with the comprehensive strategic agreement previously signed between the two nations, covering various domains including investment, economy, energy, and environmental issues.
In ;ate August 2021, President Macron had embarked on an official trip to Iraq. He was in attendance at the “Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership”. Subsequent to the conference, he toured the city of Erbil, the administrative center of the Kurdistan Region, where he engaged in talks with top-ranking Kurdish officials.
Is it constitutional or not?
The Kurdish blocs in the Iraqi parliament, with the exception of the KDP, have petitioned for Baghdad to directly distribute the civil servant salaries of the Kurdistan Region instead of transferring funds to the KRG. This has ignited a heated debate among experts and politicians, particularly between those affiliated with the KDP and others, regarding the constitutionality of such a move.
Pro-KDP outlets, such as Rudaw and Kurdistan 24, have quoted multiple Kurdish politicians who assert that this action would violate the Iraqi constitution. Rudaw cites the Iraqi deputy finance minister, Massoud Haidar (KDP), while Kurdistan 24 mentioned the head of the Iraqi parliament’s legal committee, Rebwar Hadi (KDP), among others. They defended the stance that direct payments from Baghdad to KRI civil servants would contravene articles 117 and 121 of the Iraqi constitution, which state that the KRI has both legislative and executive authority.
On the other hand, non-KDP politicians, including the former Kurdistan Parliament Speaker, Dr. Yousif Mohammed, argue that no legal obstacles stand in the way of such a move.
Mohammed, who played a role in the landmark Iraqi federal court ruling that dissolved the regional parliament, contended that designing financial policy, which includes salary distribution, is a federal issue as per article 110 of the constitution. He also emphasized that the KRI lacks a specific law regarding civil servant salaries and continues to rely on Iraqi laws.
While there is intense debate about the constitutionality of the matter, the real question is: How will the pro-Iran Shiite parties, currently dominating the government in Baghdad and the federal court, perceive this issue? Recent decisions by the federal court have undoubtedly not been in favor of the Kurdistan Region's autonomy.
Qaraqosh fire: wake-up call to local authorities
Iraqi PM, UN representative talk provincial elections, climate Prime Minister Sudani and Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the United Nations secretary-general's representative in Iraq, discussed the provincial elections set for December and Baghdad's climate change efforts.
They talked about Iraq's efforts to help internally displaced individuals return to their homes once the right conditions for stability and reintegration are established. They also addressed Iraq's strategies for combating climate challenges, including measures against drought.
Iraq is among the nations most susceptible to climate change effects, recently facing intense drought and desertification.