Iraq media regulator imposes eight sanctions in three days

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Communications and Media Commission issued eight sanctions over three days in mid-August, targeting television channels, programs, journalists and political figures, according to a compilation of the commission's 2026 decisions. The measures include broadcast bans, program suspensions, warnings and financial fines. On August 17, the commission suspended the "Hivar et-Tasi'a" program on Al-Fallujah channel and its host, Ali Farhan, for ten days and fined the channel 25 million dinars. The same day, security analyst Ahmed al-Sharifi and politician Mish'an al-Juburi received 90-day broadcast bans. On August 18, a program on Rashid channel and its host, Ahmed al-Tayyeb, were taken off the air for 15 days, and on August 19, former lawmaker Sicad Salim was barred from media activity for 90 days over alleged dissemination of misleading information. Hadi Jelveh Mari, a member of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, said the rulings raise concerns about press freedom and access to information, and called for the commission's relationship with journalists to shift toward partnership and cooperation. Al-Tayyeb said he would comply with the decision but expressed surprise that he was penalized over a guest's remarks. Researcher Khaled al-Ardawi urged an update of the relevant law in line with democratic standards. Separately, Iraq ranked 162 out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.