Shafaq News- Baghdad
The Iraqi Journalists Syndicate on Monday called for stronger efforts toprotect journalists, warning that economic, professional, and securitychallenges continue to affect media workers as Iraq marked the 157thanniversary of its National Press Day.
Speaking with Shafaq News, syndicate spokesperson Raad al-Mashhadanidescribed Iraq's media landscape as increasingly open to digital tools,affirming that the entity's vision is to build a more independent andprofessional Iraqi press capable of benefiting from modern technology andartificial intelligence while maintaining ethical standards.
"We seek to provide a safe and stable environment that enablesjournalists to carry out their mission freely and responsibly,” he added.
Iraq marks National Press Day each year on June 15, commemorating thepublication of Al-Zawraa, the country's first newspaper, in 1869.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Iraq ranked 162nd out of180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, with the organizationciting rising risks faced by Iraqi journalists both online and in the field,alongside growing pressure surrounding coverage of sensitive issues, includingwars in the Middle East.
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