Iraqi Journalists Divided Over Saddam-Era Union Law
In their fight against a Saddam-era union law, Iraq’s journalists show their new divisions, which demonstrate political differences rather than sectarian loyalties, writes Mushreq Abbas.
Iraqis adapt well to their political, ethnic and sectarian rifts. Journalists, on the other hand, have given rise to another kind of division. Hundreds of Iraqi journalists deny the legitimacy of their syndicate and have accused it of adopting the mechanisms of the former regime and consequently constraining the abilities of journalists in favor of the government. They have gone to even greater lengths — forming an alternative syndicate.
The Iraqi law that regulates the framework of syndicates dates back to the 1970s, prohibiting the formation of more than one syndicate per profession. In this regard, the parliament is striving to amend the law, yet faces obstacles from the parliamentary Culture Committee.
