Over 100 judges have received specialized training on promoting free expression and fostering a media-savvy culture

Local
  • 18-07-2024, 16:50
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    Baghdad-INA

    The Publication and Media Court judge in Baghdad, Karkh, Amer Hassan, confirmed today, Thursday, that there are 16 courts in Baghdad and the governorates concerned with examining publishing, media and journalistic work cases. At the same time, he pointed out that more than 100 judges have been trained on issues of expressing opinion and media and information culture. 

    Judge Amer Hassan told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The Supreme Judicial Council is present in all discussions proposed to legislate the Freedom of Opinion and Expression Law, the Right to Access Information Law, and the Information Crimes Law, and expresses opinions that contribute to maturing the laws to reach laws that are consistent with international standards."

    He pointed out that "the Supreme Judicial Council formed the publishing and media courts, which is a pioneering step and the first at the regional level," explaining that "16 courts were formed in 16 appellate regions, two courts in Baghdad, one in Rusafa and the other in Karkh, and in each governorate, there is a court concerned with examining publishing and media cases and cases raised against journalists in the practice of their journalistic work."

    He added that "the Supreme Judicial Council was keen to train judges specialised in publishing and media issues on the latest international standards related to freedom of expression and opinion issues to ensure that these issues are dealt with optimally by judges, in addition to training another large group of judges, more than 100 judges, concerning information culture to ensure that all those working in the judicial community, whether judges or from the Public Prosecution, understand the issues of expressing opinion and media and information culture."