Iraq: Censorship for the Greater Good

Iraq's Media High Commission, established by the United States "to encourage investment in the media and deter state meddling," warned media organizations in Iraq to "set aside space in your news coverage" of the Fallujah assault "to make the position of the Iraqi government, which expresses the aspirations of most Iraqis, clear." The statement continued, "We hope you comply ... otherwise we regret we will be forced to take all the legal measures to guarantee higher national interests." The commission also urged journalists to "differentiate between the innocent Fallouja residents who are not targeted by military operations and terrorist groups that infiltrated the city."