Iraqi media regulator suspends political talk show, drawing protest from broadcaster

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission has suspended the political talk show Al-Haq Yuqal (Truth Be Told) for one week, citing violations of ‘broadcast standards’ during its April 30 episode. The decision drew protest from broadcaster UTV, which called the move “unjust” and pledged the program would return soon.

According to a statement from the commission, the show’s host, Adnan Al-Taie, violated rules related to public decency, accuracy and transparency, as outlined in Articles 2 and 4 of the media broadcasting code. The suspension was based on authority granted under Order 65 of 2004.

The commission also ordered all episodes of the program removed from UTV’s platforms and issued a formal warning instructing the network to comply with broadcasting regulations.

Instead of airing the show in its regular time slot, UTV broadcast a message that said: “You were used to watching The Truth Be Told, presented by journalist Adnan Al-Taie, at this time since UTV’s launch. But a strange and unjust decision by the Communications and Media Commission prevented this. Because the truth must and will continue to be said, you’ll be seeing the show again very soon, in our belief in the freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution.”

In his first appearance following the suspension, Al-Taie alleged that political pressure was behind the commission’s move and said he had been threatened by a foreign diplomat.

“After each episode, I expected something from the commission. My program is sharply critical and has been for years,” he said in an interview aired on UTV.

“What’s strange is that they suspended it over an episode that criticized sectarian hate speech. During the episode, I called on the commission to take a stand against known figures fueling that rhetoric,” Al-Taie said. “How does that turn into a case against my show?”

He rejected the accusation that the episode breached public decency. “How does criticizing sectarianism and political figures violate public taste? And does the commission even have a clear definition for that term?”

Al-Taie also claimed he received a threat relayed by a colleague from a foreign ambassador. “A diplomat from a country ‘loved by the group’ sent a warning through a fellow journalist,” he said. “I’m an Iraqi journalist — why am I being threatened by a foreign ambassador?”

He said he left Iraq 14 years ago and has no ties to political parties. “If I had changed my tone, I’d be in Baghdad today, protected and sponsored by the political elite,” he said.

“They want us to be cheerleaders or timid critics. That’s not journalism. The week will pass — and I’ll be back. I’m not afraid,” he said. “Even if they shut the program down for a month or a year, there are other platforms besides satellite TV. I’ll continue to criticize the political process and the situation in Iraq.”