The manager Al-Taghier Channel, Akram Zangana, ordered for the evacuation of the channel’s office in Baghdad, following death threats to him and all of the employees.

Employees at the Channel informed JSC that that the evacuation of the offices in Al-Zaitoun Street in Mansour City was a safety measure, after the sharing of a fabricated video clip from Najm Al-Rubaie program through social media networks, criticizing one of the armed factions.

Journalists added that the channel’s director, Akram, received direct threats to kill him, his son, and the channel’s staff, via text messages sent to his personal phone.

As The Committee to Support Journalists in Iraq wishies for the safety of all employees of Al-Taghier Channel, it considers the threat a flagrant violation of the press freedom that is constitutionally guaranteed and the enshrined rights to Freedom of expression and speech. JSC refuses the repetition of the cycles of threats and intimidation against journalists and the attempts to stifle the press freedom, under flimsy pretexts.

The committee also calls on the Iraqi authorities to provide the necessary protection for all media workers and to expedite the fulfillment of the promises of the executive authority, which were made to stop all forms of threats and intimidation, and to undermine press freedom and freedom of expression and speech.

The committee stresses that the persistence of impunity is the most prominent reason for the recurrence of these cases, and the creation of terror and fear among journalists.

The Committee to Support Journalists, in particular, holds the Iraqi security authorities and armed forces responsible for the complete safety of the life of Lieutenant Colonel Najm Al-Rubaie, and all of the channel's employees.

Journalists Support Committee - Switzerland

Monday, 31^st of May, 2021