Importance of protecting journalists – Nujaifi

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Parliament Speaker Usama Nujaifi stressed the importance of protecting journalists and giving them a margin of freedom in their work, a statement said today.  The statement, received by IraqiNews.com, added that while receiving a number of journalists in his office Nujaifi expressed hope that the journalists’ protection law shall be endorsed after being formulated in a manner that will satisfy the journalistic community.  A leading member in the National Alliance stated on 23 June last that the parliament is keen to pass the journalists protection law that will guarantee their rights, including the right to know the information and official statements.  The law stipulated that the Iraqi Union of Journalists should be informed about any suit filed against any journalists related to his profession, and that no journalist should be interrogated without first informing the Union.  Further stipulations include that foreign and local media organs should sign contracts with the journalists, and that the Union should have a copy of these contracts.  According to article 4 of the law that the journalist has the right to get the information, statements and statistics and not disclose the source of his information.  RM (TI)/SR 340