(Iraqi) Parliament asks government to close Azzaman (newspaper)

[sabra]

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news\2006-10-17\kurd4.htm

Parliament asks government to close Azzaman

Azzaman, October 17, 2006

A statement by the Iraqi parliament urges Prime Minister Nour al-Maliki to close down Azzaman newspaper.

...

The statement issued Monday cites what the parliament describes the outlets’ coverage of a recent draft law the legislators passed on turning the country into a federal state.

Both the newspaper and al-Sharqiya television were critical of the law, warning that it represents a prelude to the division of the country on sectarian and ethnic grounds.

...

But if the prime minister goes ahead and shuts down the two media outlets, the move will be yet another blow to freedom of speech and press which both the government and U.S. occupiers have set as among their primary objectives in Iraq.

Saad Bazzaz, who heads the media group that includes Azzaman and Al-Sharqiya, said those seeking the closure of the two outlets wanted to “muzzle the mouth of free press” in Iraq.

[Barrett808]

1. Juan Cole is calling this the end of press freedom in Iraq

Coming soon to a hyperpower near you...

The End of Press Freedom in Iraq?
http://www.juancole.com/2006/10/end-of-press-freedom-in-iraq-al-zaman.html

[sabra]

2. But what about the purple fingers, the painted schools?

:sarcasm:

[Canuckistanian]

3. The paint is peeling and that purple dye caused cancer

Everything Bunnypants touches turns to shit.

[enigma000]

Let's see how it plays out

I believe freedom of the press is written into the constitution.

[enigma000]

4. Let's see how it plays out

I believe freedom of the press is written into the constitution.

[Tempest]

5. Then they are ignoring the constitution

Already there have been two TV stations and one paper shut down since the constitution was adopted.

[enigma000]

6. two TV stations and one paper ?

You have to admit, that's surprisingly low for a country in the Arab World. I guess an atmosphere of chaos has that effect on state control.