Towards democracy in Iraq

“A free press is not a luxury that can wait for better times; rather, it is part of the very process through which those better times are achieved. No society can achieve stability or prosperity without access to information and the right to voice one’s opinion without fear of reprisal”. (Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General, UNESCO).

At a time of increasing sectarian conflict in Iraq, a free and professional media can provide a vital forum for dialogue, as well as represent an invaluable source of information.

UNESCO, as the UN agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression, strongly supports the Iraqi government and the Iraqi media in the development of a national media and communication policy that promotes freedom of expression, respect for free and sustainable media and free access to information in line with internationally recognized standards.

In order to provide such assistance to Iraq in a crucial period of political change in the country UNESCO has developed a series of programmes based on a strategy linking policy work with support for professional networking and advocacy for freedom of expression.

03-03-2008 (Paris)

Director-General condemns murder of Shihab al-Tamimi, President of the Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists

15-02-2008 (Paris)

Director-General condemns murder of Iraqi journalist Hisham Mijawet Hamdan

21-11-2007 (Amman)

UNESCO supports free and independent media in Iraq

13-11-2007 (Amman)

Iraqi stakeholders meet to discuss draft law on media and telecommunications

21-06-2007 (Paris)

Director-General condemns execution of al-Sabah managing editor Filaih Wadi Mijthab

19-06-2007 (Paris)

Director-General condemns murder of Iraqi journalist Sahar Hussein Ali al-Haydari