Iraqi Kurdistan suspends broadcasts of three local TV channels

The Kurdistan regional Government (KRG) in Iraq’s north region has recently halted the broadcasts of three local Kurdish television channels known for their Islamic programming, citing a lack of necessary licenses, pro-KDP Rudaw outlet reported.

This decision has sparked controversy, with the affected channels alleging that the move is politically motivated.

The channels in question include Speda and Speda Drama, which serve as the official media outlets for the Kurdistan Islamic Union, and NRT 4, a secondary channel associated with the New Generation Movement (Newei Nwê).

Both networks have been vocal critics of the current KRG Barzani administration, often referring to it as an ‘expired’ government, leading to speculation that the suspensions may involve more than just a licensing issue.

In a statement, Speda argued that the suspension is not a legal action but rather a political punishment aimed at silencing opposition voices.

The outlet, which has been broadcasting since 2009, emphasized that it holds a license from Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) and has also applied for a license within the Kurdistan region.

The statement described the suspension as part of a broader campaign by the KRG’s ninth cabinet to stifle opposition and critical media, pointing to international reports that have documented a decline in press freedom during this administration’s tenure.

The United States Consulate in Erbil echoed these concerns earlier this year, expressing alarm over what it described as a “recent backsliding” in press freedom within the Kurdistan region.

The KRG, however, dismissed these concerns, insisting that the U.S. diplomatic mission had actually praised the region for a decrease in violations against journalists—a claim that contrasts sharply with reports from both local and international observers.

NRT, another affected channel, took to social media to allege that the Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which dominates the KRG, was behind the suspension under the pretext of withholding licenses from Islamic channels.

Although NRT has not issued a formal response, it shared a statement from local religious scholars who condemned the suspension as a violation of freedom of expression. These scholars have called on the authorities to reconsider the decision and allow the channel to resume its operations fully.

It is important to note that the suspension applies only to television receiver devices, meaning that the channels can continue broadcasting via satellite.

The KRG has maintained that its decision is purely a matter of enforcing licensing requirements.

A statement from the Ministry of Culture and Youth reiterated that all local channels must secure a license to broadcast and that any suspension is strictly due to non-compliance with this rule.

Critics, however, remain unconvinced. There has been widespread criticism of the KRG’s treatment of journalists and its increasingly restrictive measures on the press.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), in its annual report for January 2024, highlighted the use of “vaguely worded laws” in the Kurdistan region to suppress journalists, activists, and political opponents.

The figures paint a grim picture: in 2023 alone, the Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy, a local watchdog, recorded 249 violations against journalists and media outlets. This data underscores the growing concerns about press freedom in the region, with many fearing that the recent suspensions are part of a broader trend of diminishing space for dissent and critical voices.

The KRG’s actions have raised alarm not only among the affected media outlets but also within the broader international community.

As tensions between the so-called government and the press continue to escalate, the future of free expression in Iraqi Kurdistan appears increasingly uncertain, with many watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.

Violations against journalists and media workers have become a common occurrence in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, despite the existence of legal and constitutional protections for freedom of expression and the press.