Maliki calls for media protection

The Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, gave orders Thursday to secure protection for the headquarters of the media which are exposed to threats, and to prevent demonstrations from being carried out nearby, calling for the respecting of freedom of expression and not to “strangle freedoms.” This came in a statement read out by the prime minister's media advisor, Ali al-Moussawui. A number of the supporters of the Sadrist movement demonstrated Monday afternoon, near the headquarters of the TV channel al-Etejah in central Baghdad, in protest against the broadcasting of a report regarding a brigade affiliated with the Sadrist movement. Protesters did not disperse, except after an official apology from the channel. Iraq, according to the international organisations concerned with journalists rights, is one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work, due to the unstable security situation and the existence of armed organisations which are out of the control of the state. In addition, Iraq has witnessed several abductions and killings of journalists.