Social cohesion in Iraq assisted by new Code of Ethics
Recently the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad hosted a conference focused on the role of media in building peace and social cohesion in a post-Islamic State (IS) society. Hosted by the Parliament Commission for Media and Culture (CMC) and organised in collaboration with the National Union of Iraqi Journalists NUIJ, Burj Babel for Media Development and International Media Support, the meeting saw the launch of a new Code of Ethics on media social cohesion. In its essence the Code of Ethics focuses on the need for media to reject hate speech and discrimination based on religious and ethnic background. Instead, promotion of freedom of expression and peaceful coexistence between all Iraqi citizens is a guiding principle of the document.
International Media Support’s Iraq programme manager Osama Al-Habahbeh shares some reflections on the road towards reaching an agreement.
Q: Please share with us the work that goes before the signing of the shared code of conduct?
It took more than ten months before we reached a final version and all partners could agree to signing the code. IMS had many meetings 
with various media houses, officials and the Parliament CMC in order to reach a consensus on the idea of code, and the formulation. It was not easy as the media houses are each affiliated to a political party. However, by using points that are meeting international standards and by referring to international conventions that Iraq have already adopted, we succeeded in convincing all media houses and officials to adopt the code.
Q: What has been the most difficult issue to overcome before reaching agreement?
The main issue was the war against terror. Many Iraqis thinks that the media should not be neutral, but would rather see journalists and media outlets as part of a “Patriotic media” actively participating in the war against terror. By subscribing to this view any criticism of Iraqi authorities could be considered as supporting terror and Islamic State. Authorities were using rhetorics of either with us or against us.
Q: To you, what is the real achievement of this signed document?
That the media takes on responsibility in building peace and and advancing a democratic society.
Q: What results do you hope to see from this?
I hope to see a change in the mentality of journalists and in a way that allow for Iraqi media to be part of the professional globalized media landscape.
