Iraqi writer challenges media regulator over legal authority claims

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Writer Salam Adel has publicly criticized the head of Iraq's Media and Communications Commission, Baligh Abu Khalil, questioning the legal basis the regulator cites for its actions. In an open message, Adel said some recent media statements by the commission lacked constitutional and legal grounding. Adel pointed to Decree No. 65 of 2004, issued under the Coalition Provisional Authority, as the legal foundation still governing the Media and Communications Commission. He argued the decree remains valid under Article 130 of the Iraqi Constitution, which preserves existing legislation until amended. He also cited Federal Supreme Court ruling 23/Federal/2020, which confirmed that Coalition Provisional Authority orders continue to constitute legislation in force. Adel noted that some of those orders underpin the Central Bank of Iraq, banking regulations, military institutions and media bodies, though parts have since been revised by laws passed in Parliament. The writer urged that legal disputes be settled by reading constitutional texts and court rulings rather than slogans, and added that social media posts could be treated as public broadcasting under the commission's mandate.