Baghdad-INA
The head of the executive body of the Communications and Media Commission-CMC, Baligh Abu Kalal, said on Sunday that regulation does not amount to restricting the media, but rather aims to ensure that freedom of expression is exercised within a framework that safeguards society's rights and national values.
Abu Kalal said the commission's institutional structure is based on coordination and integration among the Board of Commissioners, the Executive Body, the Hearing Committee, and the Appeals Council, underscoring that the commission's decisions are subject to established review and oversight mechanisms.
A statement by CMC, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), said that "Baligh Abu Kalal, head of the executive body of the Communications and Media Commission, participated in the proceedings of the 2026 Anbar Dialogue Forum, attended by a number of officials, media professionals and members of parliament, where he reviewed the commission's working mechanisms and the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the media and telecommunications sectors in Iraq."
Abu Kalal said in his remarks that "Legislative Order No. 65 of 2004 is one of the most flexible legal frameworks for regulating the sector, as it granted the Board of Commissioners the authority to approve regulations related to media, telecommunications and information technology after studying them, presenting them to the public, and receiving feedback before their final adoption."
He explained that "the commission's structure is based on integration among the Board of Commissioners, the Executive Body, the Hearing Committee and the Appeals Council, ensuring multiple levels of review and scrutiny," stressing that "the commission's decisions are not based on personal interpretations or individual considerations, but rather on applicable regulations and established legal procedures."
On freedom of expression, Abu Kalal stressed that "regulation does not mean restricting the media, but rather aims to ensure the exercise of freedom of expression within a framework that safeguards society's rights and national values," noting that "protecting society is no less important than protecting freedom of expression, and that achieving a balance between the two represents the essence of regulatory work."
He pointed out that "the commission relies on clear institutional mechanisms for monitoring violations, studying them, and taking decisions regarding them through specialized committees, which enhances fairness and transparency in regulatory procedures."
He affirmed "the existence of a high level of coordination and understanding between the executive body and the Board of Commissioners, which has positively reflected on the development of regulatory frameworks and keeping pace with the rapid changes in the media and telecommunications sectors."
