According to a report at The National, the US Embassy said that “the Iraqi government has the right to respond and hold the channel accountable for any report it believes is inaccurate, unprofessional or contradicts US policy.”The embassy’s statement appeared to balance its assertion that Al-Hurra “deals with regional topics in a clear and transparent manner,” while not going further and opposing the government decision. Even though Al-Hurra receives support from the US government, its programming is independent.Al-Hurra Iraq Television has been a standout within Al-Hurra as a whole, one of the top performers in the market over the last decade. Al-Hurra overall received 16 million viewers a week in 2017, and has recently gone through a major face-lift. According to a report in The National, the channel had 22 reporters in Iraq. The channel has to compete in Iraq against numerous other channels, including the big players such as Al Jazeera or Al-Iraqiya, Al-Sumaria, and Kurdish channels like Rudaw. Iraq has suspended TV channels in the past, and sectarian and other issues have led to attacks on channels or attempts to intimidate them. In 2013, Iraq suspended Al Jazeera, Al-Sharqiya, and 10 satellite channels due to sectarian violence. The NRT satellite channel was also suspended locally in 2017.The larger question about the suspension of Al-Hurra is whether it is part of larger anti-American rhetoric in Iraq that has emerged in recent weeks due to Iran-US tensions.Some Shi’ite paramilitary groups have held the US responsible for alleged airstrikes on their facilities, claiming the US cleared the way for Israeli actions. Other reports have sought to spread propaganda about Israel, with Iraqi media channels even reporting the presence of an “Israeli base” in the country. El-Etejah ran cartoons showing the US depicted as Uncle Sam pushing a baby carriage, with the baby depicted as Israel. Iraqi channels have also suggested that the US supports ISIS, and has spread other inaccurate stories.In general, the media space in Iraq is so broad and diverse that it is surprising to see that Al-Hurra is suddenly being made an example of, over allegations its reports were inaccurate or against religious institutions. It could be more likely that the report was used as an excuse to go after a channel perceived as being linked to the US.Iraq suspends Al Hurra TV in Baghdad for questioning the management of funds ($ hundreds of millions) donated to religious institutions. The report included witnesses. No one from these institutions wanted to talk. If this isn't a violation of free speech and press, what is?
— Rasha Al Aqeedi (@RashaAlAqeedi) September 2, 2019
Concerns arise after Iraq cracks down on Al-Hurra channel
The Al-Hurra network has been taken down by the Iraqi government, which claims it was due to a misleading report it had aired. Though the possibility exists something more elaborate is taking place
