Iraqi government makes reporters sign "code of conduct"

But they're freeeeeeeeeeeeeee lolololololololololol!

Journalism in America is hamstrung by corporate diktats such as those that amplify right-wing government and corporate propaganda. So why should we be surprised that the Bush-installed government of Iraq also tries to stifle journalistic freedom?

The Iraqi government now wants to require Iraqi and foreign journalists to sign a "code of conduct" in order to cover provincial elections. Reporters have to agree to these rules to get credentials to attend election-related press conferences. Violators will be fined heavily.

One of the new rules would criminalize "criticizing the work of officials inside the voting centers by making claims without concrete evidence about breaches of the voting process." Not very freedomish, is it?

You know something? Maybe when the Bush regime wrote Iraq's new Constitution, it should have included something about freedom of the press in there.

Sounds like more of that "democracy on the march", huh, George.

(Source: http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003929139)