Al-Lami Calls for Stronger Legal Protections for Press Freedom, Highlights Improved Journalist Safety in Iraq
Baghdad / NINA /- President of the Arab Journalists Federation, Moaid Al-Lami, has stressed the importance of fully adhering to laws that protect press freedom and reviewing legislation that restricts journalistic work or conflicts with international professional standards.
Speaking at a conference of the Federation’s Permanent Committee for Press Freedoms in Damascus, the Syrian capital, Al-Lami said: “We look forward to seeing Syria regain its leading role, as it did in the past, across political, economic and cultural fields.”
He noted that Damascus had historically been one of the most prominent Arab cities to host scholars, politicians and writers from across the Arab world.
“We will support Syrian journalists, and high-level coordination between us and the Syrian Minister of Information will take place in the coming days,” Al-Lami added.
Al-Lami also announced that the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate had submitted its report on press freedoms covering the period from June 2025 to June 2026.
According to the report, Iraq witnessed a clear improvement in indicators related to journalists’ safety, protection and security during the reporting period, attributed to political and security stability and the existence of several laws designed to protect journalists, curb violations of their freedoms and safeguard freedom of expression across digital platforms and other publishing and communication channels.
He said there had been no reported cases of assaults against journalists during the period, unlike in previous years.
Al-Lami explained that the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate had fulfilled its responsibilities by maintaining contact with official authorities to support media institutions, while providing assistance to various newspapers and a large number of journalists.
He added that the syndicate had coordinated with the Supreme Judicial Council and specialized courts handling publishing and media-related cases to facilitate and support journalists’ work.
The Supreme Judicial Council issued several circulars directing publication-related courts to support journalists in Iraq, recognizing their role in conveying events and facts. These directives, he said, provided additional safeguards enabling journalists to carry out their professional duties.
The syndicate also maintains regular contact with the courts to follow up on lawsuits filed against journalists and monitor relevant judicial and legal procedures through its legal department. Al-Lami said these efforts had played a major role in resolving most cases in favor of journalists.
To further strengthen freedom of opinion and expression and ensure journalists’ safety and legal protection, the syndicate has also maintained ongoing coordination with media offices in ministries and government departments. The cooperation aims to help journalists and media institutions obtain information from its original sources, promote accuracy and ensure that facts are conveyed to the public without undermining freedom of expression.
Al-Lami further highlighted the syndicate’s continued efforts to implement the provisions of Journalists’ Rights Law No. 21 of 2011, which it had championed and helped secure as legislation. He described the law as a fundamental guarantee for creating a safe working environment for journalists and media professionals, while securing rights and protections for journalists and their families.
He said the decline in assaults and harassment targeting journalists while performing their duties or covering events was further evidence of improved safety and protection.
The syndicate, he added, remains in constant contact with media organizations to provide direct assistance and overcome obstacles hindering their work. It also continues to coordinate with relevant authorities to guarantee access to information and promote transparency.
Al-Lami reiterated the importance of fully implementing laws that safeguard press freedom and reviewing any legislation that could restrict journalistic work or contradict international professional standards.
He concluded by affirming that, according to the syndicate’s report, no assaults or targeted attacks against journalists were recorded in Iraq during the period covered by the report. /End
ليصلك المزيد من الأخبار اشترك بقناتنا على التليغرام
Speaking at a conference of the Federation’s Permanent Committee for Press Freedoms in Damascus, the Syrian capital, Al-Lami said: “We look forward to seeing Syria regain its leading role, as it did in the past, across political, economic and cultural fields.”
He noted that Damascus had historically been one of the most prominent Arab cities to host scholars, politicians and writers from across the Arab world.
“We will support Syrian journalists, and high-level coordination between us and the Syrian Minister of Information will take place in the coming days,” Al-Lami added.
Al-Lami also announced that the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate had submitted its report on press freedoms covering the period from June 2025 to June 2026.
According to the report, Iraq witnessed a clear improvement in indicators related to journalists’ safety, protection and security during the reporting period, attributed to political and security stability and the existence of several laws designed to protect journalists, curb violations of their freedoms and safeguard freedom of expression across digital platforms and other publishing and communication channels.
He said there had been no reported cases of assaults against journalists during the period, unlike in previous years.
Al-Lami explained that the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate had fulfilled its responsibilities by maintaining contact with official authorities to support media institutions, while providing assistance to various newspapers and a large number of journalists.
He added that the syndicate had coordinated with the Supreme Judicial Council and specialized courts handling publishing and media-related cases to facilitate and support journalists’ work.
The Supreme Judicial Council issued several circulars directing publication-related courts to support journalists in Iraq, recognizing their role in conveying events and facts. These directives, he said, provided additional safeguards enabling journalists to carry out their professional duties.
The syndicate also maintains regular contact with the courts to follow up on lawsuits filed against journalists and monitor relevant judicial and legal procedures through its legal department. Al-Lami said these efforts had played a major role in resolving most cases in favor of journalists.
To further strengthen freedom of opinion and expression and ensure journalists’ safety and legal protection, the syndicate has also maintained ongoing coordination with media offices in ministries and government departments. The cooperation aims to help journalists and media institutions obtain information from its original sources, promote accuracy and ensure that facts are conveyed to the public without undermining freedom of expression.
Al-Lami further highlighted the syndicate’s continued efforts to implement the provisions of Journalists’ Rights Law No. 21 of 2011, which it had championed and helped secure as legislation. He described the law as a fundamental guarantee for creating a safe working environment for journalists and media professionals, while securing rights and protections for journalists and their families.
He said the decline in assaults and harassment targeting journalists while performing their duties or covering events was further evidence of improved safety and protection.
The syndicate, he added, remains in constant contact with media organizations to provide direct assistance and overcome obstacles hindering their work. It also continues to coordinate with relevant authorities to guarantee access to information and promote transparency.
Al-Lami reiterated the importance of fully implementing laws that safeguard press freedom and reviewing any legislation that could restrict journalistic work or contradict international professional standards.
He concluded by affirming that, according to the syndicate’s report, no assaults or targeted attacks against journalists were recorded in Iraq during the period covered by the report. /End
ليصلك المزيد من الأخبار اشترك بقناتنا على التليغرام
