On 4 September, Iraq’s interim government decided to extend its ban on Al-Jazeera’s Baghdad bureau for an indefinite period. In support of the ban the Iraqi authorities apparently forced their way into the offices of the Qatar-based satellite broadcaster, photographed equipment and then sealed the offices. Fourteen security guards were later stationed outside the Al-Jazeera offices.

Justifying the ban, a statement from the office of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said, “… Al-Jazeera TV has not respected the decision taken by the ministerial national security committee and has continued to broadcast from within Iraq and interview individuals on Iraqi soil regardless of the temporary closure order.”

The Al-Jazeera bureau in Baghdad was originally closed on 5 August. At that time, the interim government said it acted out of fear that Al-Jazeera was inciting violence and possibly encouraging kidnappings in Iraq.

Commenting on the extension of the Al-Jazeera ban, IPI Director, Johann P. Fritz, said, “The decision undermines claims that the interim government will embrace democracy and uphold human rights, including press freedom, in Iraq.”

“By acting in this manner, the interim government is joining a long list of governments, including that of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, which have tried to influence Al-Jazeera’s reporting.”

“The right of journalists to report news is fundamental to the free flow of information in any democracy and it is important that the interim government develop a tolerance for news reports that may be embarrassing or uncomfortable.”

“On the other hand, if there is any truth in the allegations of the interim government or its agencies, it should publish the evidence in order to allow for full and proper public scrutiny of their arguments,” said Fritz.

“No media organisation should ever be silenced without a due legal process that not only allows for a full examination of the facts, but gives the media organisation an opportunity to make argument in its own defence.”