Iraqi media regulator fines one TV channel, warns another, bans journalist

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Communications and Media Commission announced sanctions against several media outlets and individuals. The regulator said it found that the Wilayat Channel posted false and unsubstantiated information on its Facebook account, attributed to the Supreme Judicial Council, and imposed a 5 million Iraqi dinar fine, ordered the violation to be removed within five days, and required an official apology. The commission also issued a warning to Al-Ayyam Channel for an episode of its "Hadith al-Iraq" program aired on June 21, 2026, saying it violated broadcasting rules on false and baseless content. The program must be removed from all digital platforms and an official apology aired within five days, or further sanctions will follow, the commission said. In a separate circular sent to all local and foreign media outlets in Iraq, the regulator imposed a 30-day media ban on journalist Haitham al-Mayahi. It cited a June 7, 2026 TikTok post in which al-Mayahi alleged, without evidence, that Prime Minister Sudani had issued 5,800 exemptions before leaving office, describing the content as false and defamatory.