Iraqi government bans media, starts censorship crackdown in midst of civil war

[Thorgrim]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi government on Thursday ordered Arabic satellite network Al-Arabiya to shut down its Baghdad operations for one month, state television reported. Al-Arabiya said Iraqi police later arrived at its offices to enforce the order.

Iraq closes down Al-Arabiya in Baghdad - Yahoo! News

I don't even know what to say exactly...I guess this is a step towards a military dictatorship which would be good for Iraq. However I wonder how everyone else feels about a more Syrian-like government taking place in Iraq instead of the free-flowing democracy we all wanted.

[ballz2wallz]

like often happens in political forums when things get out of hand, they crack down with an 'iron fist' for a period of time til things settle down, when they can focus on a more permanent solution.

[Stylerod]

I pretty much figured this would happen at some point. This is the way Arabs seem to have to rule. Sad, but true.

[motivez]

I don't think you can compare a political forum to freedom of the press in a country honestly. When we crack down, it's on things that go against the established rules.. we dont shut the entire forum down.

You can't have a truly free country if the state can completely shut down news outlets for its citizens.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by motivez

I don't think you can compare a political forum to freedom of the press in a country honestly. When we crack down, it's on things that go against the established rules.. we dont shut the entire forum down.

You can't have a truly free country if the state can completely shut down news outlets for its citizens.

the point is that it's likely temporary

[Publius]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

the point is that it's likely temporary

One can hope.

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by Publius

One can hope.

its just what lincoln did...all perfectly acceptable! eh?

[motivez]

Would you be so complacent about it if it were happening here?

The few Iraqi's left who've bought into our whole "freedom" agenda probably aren't going to take kindly to the government telling them what they can and can't say in newspapers or on television..

I also think it's a huge slap in the face to the soldiers who've made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom in that country to have it taken away like this.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

its just what lincoln did...all perfectly acceptable! eh?

Not at all if it were in the U.S., but they don't have our Constitution. That said, I find it absolutely loathsome.