Iraq oil ministry accused of blocking journalists from covering minister's Basra field visit

BASRA, Iraq — Journalists have accused Iraq's Oil Ministry of imposing a de facto media blackout during a visit by the oil minister to the Feyha oil field in the southern city of Basra. Reporters said the minister's secretary barred several satellite channels and media outlets from entering the site, despite prior approval from the ministry's media unit, citing concerns that journalists might pose questions. At the field's entrance, members of the minister's protection unit allegedly confronted a television crew, seized a crew member's press credentials and used force to prevent filming, according to the reporting. Reporters and technical teams who had traveled a long distance to reach the field outside the city said their ability to cover the visit had been restricted. The restrictions drew criticism from journalism circles in Basra. Press organizations called on the Journalists' Union and relevant bodies to intervene to remove what they described as obstacles to press freedom, and urged officials to end measures they said were aimed at narrowing media activity. No immediate response from the ministry was reported.