Breaking out of years of isolation. Photo:WFP/David Gross.

More than 35 international journalist syndicates and media organizations gathered in Baghdad in the first international conference since 1995 to discuss and express support to the safety of journalists and freedom of the press

While the IMS representative was giving his presentation in an international media conference in the "safe" Green Zone of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a huge explosion was heard near the conference building, followed by a cut in electricity in the building leaving the conference in total darkness for two minutes.

As if orchestrated, the darkness served as a grim reminder to the conference participants of the current situation facing civilians as well as media professionals in Iraq.

- This is our daily life in Baghdad: violence, fear and terror, said Ammar Shilba, one of the Iraqi journalists attending the conference.

While some international participants expressed worry and deep concern over the incident, the Iraqis kept calm. 

- We have to continue with the conference, otherwise the terrorists will win, Ammar Shilba added.

First media conference in Iraq in 13 years

The conference in Baghdad which took place on 23 - 24 May was the first international journalists' conference in Iraq since 1995,. Organized by the Iraqi Journalists' Syndicate and International Federation of Journalists, the organizers aimed at providing an
opportunity for Iraqi media to develop a challenging vision that breaks with the past and clearly defines the role that media and journalism should play as Iraq finds itself in the transition phase to peace and reconciliation.

- Before the war in 2003, the media was controlled by ONE political party; the pro- Saddam Baath party. Now the media is controlled by many parties and militias,  said Moais Alami, president of Iraqi Journalists' Syndicate.

He appealed to the international media community to support the Iraqi media to be re-trained and developed to meet the international standards of journalism and to help Iraqi media be a part of the solution and peace-building in Iraq, and not a part of the conflict  provoking more ethnic and religious hatred and violence.

- Training in basic journalism skills such as accurate, impartial and responsible reporting remains a core component of media development. In Iraq the post-war journalism goes beyond this by encouraging journalists to be aware of what effects their language and reporting can have on the conflict - as well as how they may become victims of the violence,  said Moaid Alami.

Journalists seek to cut ties

At the two-day conference, which was arranged and held in Alrasheed Hotel under very high security measures in the Green Zone in Baghdad, participants discussed issues that challenge the media sector and how the media could be independent and nourished by quality journalism that is free from political interference, intimidation and undue influence by special interest groups.
The conference also discussed the "Unity and Solidarity in the Media Workforce".

- For years Iraqi journalist and media professionals have been divided by political and sectarian interests. If the future is about change it needs to start with more respect for journalists, their professional status and their working conditions. Journalists have to lead the way by building solidarity and respect for professionalism within their ranks, said one IFJ representative in the conference.

Safety for media needed

IMS participation in the conference served to emphasize the commitment of supporting building an independent - and sustainable Iraqi media. IMS has for the past years worked with a number of Iraqi media institutions to support strengthening professionalism and business models.

As the support from the international media organisations was applauded, one Iraqi journalist pointed to the shelling incident and called for support to improve the safety for media workers and institutions:

- Even in a very high secure area in Baghdad like this Alrasheed hotel in the Green Zone we are not safe,. How do you think the security is like in the rest of Iraq?  It is not only capacity building and professional media training we need in Iraq, but we also need to be trained in how to work in a war zone. We need protection tools as flat jackets, helmets, first aid training etc., said the Iraqi journalist Ammar Shilba in Baghdad conference following the shelling incident.

For more information about IMS activities in Iraq, please click to contact IMS programme officer, Osama Al-Habahbeh.