Protest against expulsion of journalists from Iraq
The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors
Forum have asked Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to lift
government restrictions on the presence and activities of foreign
journalists following a decision by authorities to expel 69 foreign
journalists from the country.
"We are writing on behalf of the World Association of Newspapers and
the World Editors Forum, which represent 18,000 publications in 100
countries, to express our serious concern at the decision of Iraqi
authorities to expel 69 foreign journalists from the country.
"According to reports, Knut Magnus Berge, a reporter for the Norwegian
public broadcasting company NRK, claimed that on returning to
he discovered a list on the wall of the foreign ministry declaring him and
68 colleagues no longer wanted in the country. They were first allowed
72 hours to leave the country, and were later told that they only had 48
hours. The journalists were given no explanation as to why they are
expelled.
"According to reports, the authorities limit the number of foreign
journalists present in the country, as they are not allowed to work and
travel on their own. Before new visitors are allowed into the country,
other journalists are sent home, regardless of their prior visa
arrangements.
"While understanding the current exceptional circumstances facing your
country, we respectfully remind you that the expulsion of 69 foreign
journalists constitutes a clear breach of the right to freedom of
expression, which includes the right to seek information. Indeed, it is at
precisely such a time of crisis that the free flow of information is most
important. We respectfully remind you that Article 19 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights states : `Everyone has the right to freedom
of opinion and expression ; this right includes the freedom to hold
opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media, regardless of frontiers.`
"We respectfully call on you to lift government restrictions on the
presence and activities of foreign journalists so that media professionals
are able to carry out their duties without state interference. We urge you
to ensure that in future your government fully respects international
standards of press freedom."
WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and
promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 18,000 newspapers ;
its membership includes 71 national newspaper associations, individual
newspaper executives in 100 countries, 13 news agencies and nine
regional and world-wide press groups.
The WEF is the division of WAN that represents senior news
executives.