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Iraq
Iraqis protest govt clampdown on free speech
2009-08-15
[Al Arabiya Latest] Hundreds of Iraqis took to the streets on Friday to protest moves by the government to control the flow of information both in print and online, which has raised fears of a crackdown on free speech reminiscent of the regime of ex-dictator Saddam Hussein.

Some 200 Journalists, writers and booksellers demonstrated in Baghdad's Mutanabi Street in opposition of a governement decision to screen imported books that incite sectarianism and ban websites deemed pornographic or that encourage crimes such as bomb making, prostitution and "terrorism."

" Blocking internet websites and censoring books is a new dictatorship "
Iraqi human rights activist
Intellectuals said they worried such moves were a sign that the years of freer expression could be coming to an end and journalists worried a new draft legislation being mulled leaves them exposed to government interference in their profession.

"Blocking internet websites and censoring books is a new dictatorship," said Muhammad al-Rubaie, a human rights activist.

"They want to stop the free word from unveiling corruption. We will work in parliament to cancel any censorship that limits the freedom of expression," the head of Iraq's Integrity Commission in parliament, Sabah al-Saedi, said.

Iraq's 2005 constitution enshrines freedom of the press and publication unless they "violate public order or morality."
Posted by:Fred

#1  Angry AstroTurf mobs in Iraq?

This is contagious.
Posted by: Skunky Glins 5***   2009-08-15 18:57  

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