IHEC - Accreditation of Media

Code of Conduct for the Media during Elections

Independent and pluralistic media is essential to the conduct of democratic elections. A free and fair election is not only about casting a vote in proper conditions, but also about having adequate information about parties, policies, candidates and the election process itself so that voters can make an informed choice. A democratic election with no media freedom would be a contradiction in terms.

Media in Iraq is regulated by the Communication and Media Commission, a constitutional body established by CPA Order 65. IHEC, in consultation with the CMC, has produced regulations governing the media during the election period which stipulates the role that the CMC, the IHEC and the judiciary play in regulating the media.

Self-regulation is at the heart of media freedom and IHEC has supported the CMC in producing its 2008 Code of Conduct for the Media during Elections.

The Code of Conduct sets out the principles of election broadcasting. It calls upon media to ensure that election coverage is impartial, accurate and timely and does not use emotive language or religious symbolism to incite hatred or violence. Violations of the Code of Conduct could result in a fine, the withdrawal of frequency or licence or referral to the judiciary if the offence relates to CPA Order 14 (incitement to violence). It could also result in the media’s losing accreditation to access IHEC electoral events.

The most important fact about the Code of Conduct, however, is that it has been developed by the media. Self-regulation is an important defence for media freedoms and violations of this professional code will undermine the independence of the sector for everyone.

CMC Code of Conduct for the Media during Elections
CPA Order 14
CMC publication on incitement to violence