UNESCO develops a handbook for the protection of journalists in field

Recognizing the gravity of the safety of journalists issue, CMC and UNESCO hosted a one-day roundtable on preparing this handbook in co-operation with the representatives of media outlets, Ministry of Interior and Safety of Journalists Committee. This event is funded by the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)-Netherlands, in the context of the promulgated recommendations, which emphasize the role of law enforcement authorities, legislatures, and the media in ensuring safe working conditions for journalists.

In the opening of the roundtable, the special adviser of the head of CMC, Muthad Ahmed, stated, “This roundtable will pave the way for the production of a practical guide for coordination between journalists who are working in the field and police officers, often in checkpoints to reduce the number of violations against journalists”. In his opening remarks, Mr. Ahmed noted that the significance of having both the MoI and media owners’ participants to share experiences and discuss challenges faced by the journalists and media workers in the field is a great opportunity for real reform.

Major General Saad Maan, the representative of the Ministry of Interior, said in his speech “The Ministry of Interior hopes that this handbook will raise the level of awareness among both parties highlighting the multiple duties of both journalists and police officers. The challenges and problems that have occurred in the past can be avoided through such activities".

Dhea Subhee, UNESCO Iraq Office, said “These are the main challenges faced by journalists in the field and the suggested solutions by the media owners. UNESCO will ensure that great care is paid to these considerations as part of the safety of journalists mechanism”.

This handbook, and the recommendations it contains, conceived by participants, with the invaluable support of IPDC, is considered one of the activation steps of the journalists protection mechanism in Iraq.