Iraqi journalists struggle to access official information as access bill stalls in parliament

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Journalists in Iraq say they face persistent difficulties obtaining official information, as several ministries and government institutions lack designated spokespersons and officials frequently decline to comment on the record. The lack of accessible communication channels has pushed reporters to rely on outdated statements, personal contacts and unverified information circulating on social media, according to accounts from journalists working across government sectors. A draft freedom of information law currently before the Iraqi parliament aims to grant journalists, researchers and members of the public a formal mechanism for requesting official data. The Cabinet approved the draft and referred it to parliament, but the bill has not entered into force because amendments have been proposed to several of its articles. Wesam al-Mulla, a member of the parliamentary Defense Coalition bloc, warned that the legislation in its current form could impose restrictions on journalists and include provisions carrying prison sentences. He said parliament should consult journalists and civil society organizations before approving the bill. No date has been set for a final vote on the legislation, and further details on the proposed amendments were not immediately available.