Suspension of al-Hurra TV, propaganda arm of US Congress in Iraq
Pars Today- After the nationwide protest in Iraq against desecration of the American Arab language media, Al-Hurra, to the religious authority and institutions, the organization of communications and media in the country suspended the activity of this American media for three months.
The American TV channel, al-Hurra, was set up in 2004 in Arabic language. The channel was funded mainly by the US Congress. It has played a conspicuous role in the Iraqi riots and has recently faced with the risk of closing down. According to Pars Today, the Organization of Communications and Media of Iraq, as the official body to control media activities in the country, released a statement on Monday whereby it announced that the American media will be suspended for three months due to profanity against religious institutions and symbols in Iraq.
The Organization of Communications and Media of Iraq, announcing this news, has asked for official apology of this American media.
This decision was made after al-Hurra TV published a fake report on religious personalities in Iraq and announced that it would review so-called religious corruption file in the country.
The statement of the Iraqi organization also reads that, "If such an act is repeated harsher punishments will be enforced against this American TV channel."
The Iraqi Organization of Communications and Media also reiterated that all those who have been harmed in this report can put up a judicial petition against this American TV channel.
The organization stresses that this American media's report has been devoid of the principle of media research and many parts of the report are in contrast to the basics of professional activity.
The report of al-Hurra has caused a wave of condemnations in Iraq.
The Iraqi popular mobilization organization (Hashd al-Sha'bi) announced in reaction to this sacrilegious act that al-Hurra TV is in pursuit of a "hostile news policy".
Qays al-Khazali, Secretary General of Asaeb Ahl Haq Movement in Iraq, also, called the report of the American media as a "dangerous sign of the US foreign policy".
The Iraqi Sunni circles have also said that this report is totally "lie".
The American established and funded media (al-Hurra) started activity after the invasion and occupation of Iraq by the US in 2003. This TV channel is considered as the media and propaganda arm of Washington in the face of the Iraqi community. According to the Iraqi media, the United States has used this media to weaken the religious authority and sources of emulation alongside the values and beliefs of the masses of the Iraqi people.
Media critics in Iraq are of the opinion that the moves of al-Hurra channel can be evaluated within the framework of soft war aimed at sowing discord and causing despair among the Iraqi people, and eventually destroy the relations of Iraq with some of the countries, especially Iran.
Key phrases: al-Hurra channel, Iraqi religious authority, soft war, US and Iraq
RM/UR
