Prime Minister Muhammad Al-Sudani affirmed: "The Iraqi press is not just a news media, but rather an important archive of Iraq's history, which is full of events and achievements."

Al-Sudani praised, in a speech during his participation in the official celebration held by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, on the occasion of the Iraqi National Press Day, the great role played by the Iraqi press and its national positions in standing against terrorism and extremism, and supporting the state by diagnosing imbalances and evaluating performance, appreciating the sacrifices made for upholding the free speech.

The Prime Minister recalled the sacrifices of journalists who were martyred during the time of dictatorship, and during the years of abhorrent sectarianism, and who sacrificed their lives while accompanying the security forces in the war against the terrorist gangs of ISIS.

Al-Sudani said: "We recall the patriotic role of many journalists who stood against foreign agendas and conspiracies that targeted the unity of the country, and we do not forget the role of the press in diagnosing cases of imbalance in files that affect people's needs, and we rely on it to uncover and combat corruption."

He added: "The government opens the doors of communication with the press, believing in the constitutional right of citizens to know the work of the government with full transparency and clarity. We directed the Commission of Integrity, more that two weeks ago, to study a draft law on the right to access information and provide observations on it, in order to send it to the House of Representatives."

He continued: "We have taken a package of measures to support journalistic work, including the provision of logistical services and banking facilities, and others related to the Labor and Social Security Law, which was approved recently," stressing: "The government takes into account fairness to journalists in service files, foremost of which is the housing file."

The Prime Minister stressed: "The press should not be an outlet for those who live on chaos, allegations and distortion of facts, or take it as a means of blackmail. "he pointed out that: "Some media outlets, operating inside and outside Iraq, are so busy to broadcasting negativity for political or utilitarian purposes, which has caused external alienation and deprived Iraq of opportunities for investment and development."

He concluded by saying: "The press is called upon today to convey the positive and bright face of Iraq, and that the responsibility of the national press and those in charge of it is to organize journalistic work, because there are those who do not distinguish between freedom and chaos."

Source: National Iraqi News Agency