2008 PRT News
PRT Baghdad and Journalistic Freedoms Observatory Advocate for Journalist's Rights
By Steven McGregor & Mark Wildermuth
October 26, 2008 -- The Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) joined forces with the Baghdad-based Journalistic Freedoms Observatory (JFO) to conduct a two day workshop for local Iraqi journalists on the practical aspects of reporting in Baghdad October 25-26. The event highlighted journalist security issues, legal issues affecting journalism, and journalism techniques.
Recognizing that few of the journalists in Iraq's more than 150 media outlets have never received formal training or instruction and that they work in often challenging or dangerous situations, Mr. Ziad Al-Ajili, the founder of the JFO, approached PRT Baghdad with a proposal to conduct a two-day workshop for local Iraqi journalists on the practical aspects of reporting in Baghdad. Ziad said the course was designed to support "security and legal protection for Iraqi journalists as well as highlight risks that threaten them."
The JFO engaged distinguished lecturers, including a journalism professor from Baghdad University, a media expert and experienced working reporter, and an attorney specializing in Iraqi media law, to address the conference. Attendees included men and women from a variety of religious and ethnic backgrounds working as reporters for both print and broadcast media outlets.
As the JFO's primary concern had been the number of journalists killed or wounded while reporting on combat in Iraq, the first session of the workshop featured an informative discussion on the physical dangers of reporting in Iraq and the hazards of covering military operations. The use of protective gear such as the helmet and body armor was demonstrated, and the JFO encouraged reporters to insist that their organizations supply this equipment to their employees working in combat zones. Subsequent lectures on the first day covered the legal status of reporters under Iraqi law, and how the new constitution affects
journalism.
On the second day, an attorney focused on how the government and security forces interpret and enforce Iraqi law in practice, giving advice on dealing with the authorities. He also identified the legal consequences for false or inaccurate reporting. In the afternoon, a media expert discussed reporting techniques and ethical standards for both reporters and editors.
Ziad Al-Ajili has been involved with journalism in Iraq since 2001 and established the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory in 2005 after experiencing problems working as a reporter in Kut earlier that year. "Iraq did not have an independent organization for press protection at that time," Ziyad remembers. That experience highlighted his concerns about the future of journalism in Iraq's newly liberated society, and led to the formation of the JFO.
Working in cooperation with Reporters without Borders and other international organizations, the JFO defends the rights of Iraqi journalists and reports on free speech violations in Iraq. JFO is also helping to modernize journalism in Iraq, coordinating with the Government of Iraq on behalf of journalists, and distributing information that highlights the rights of journalists. Specifically, they have lobbied political leaders to include in their legislation items supporting the press and protecting journalists. JFO has also organized public events rallying support for a free press and printed
posters and other materials informing the public about journalists' rights.
Ziad hailed the success of the two-day workshop, but said that much more work needed to be done. "Many of the reporters working in Iraq are not graduates of journalism programs," he explained. This causes problems with the authorities when they don't follow standard journalistic practices." The JFO believes training programs like the one just completed are one way of addressing this problem and working to
establish a truly professional Iraqi press.