Iraq Suspends Saudi-Owned MBC Channel After Controversial Report on Terrorism

Suspension of Saudi-Owned Channel in Iraq Following Controversial Report

Iraqi regulators have officially suspended the broadcasting license of the Saudi-owned television channel, MBC Media Group, and are now pursuing measures to revoke its right to operate within the country. This action comes in the wake of a contentious report aired by the channel, which described prominent leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s Quds Force as “faces of terrorism.”

The announcement of MBC’s suspension was made by the Iraqi Communication and Media Commission on Saturday, less than 24 hours after a group of supporters of the aforementioned leaders stormed the channel’s offices in Baghdad. The intruders filmed themselves vandalizing equipment and damaging computers in a brazen display of defiance.

The chaos erupted after a large crowd gathered outside the channel’s building on Friday evening, where they ignited a fire and chanted slogans such as, “No, no Al-Saud.” The report in question identified several individuals as terrorists, including:

  • Yahya Sinwar: The military leader of Hamas, recently killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
  • Qassim Suleimani: The Iranian Quds Force general, who met his end in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in 2020.
  • Hassan Nasrallah: The leader of Hezbollah, who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces near Beirut in September.

All of these figures have been designated as terrorists by the United States, and both Hamas and Hezbollah receive backing from Iran. Despite multiple attempts to contact MBC representatives in Iraq for a statement, there was no response.

In the context of Iraq, the government is largely influenced by political factions with close ties to Iran. Many leaders within these parties regard the individuals named in the MBC report as heroes and martyrs, leading to a climate where public criticism of them is perceived as a serious affront. The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission articulated its rationale for suspending MBC’s license, stating its responsibility to “deter violators of national values and public morals,” asserting that the channel had repeatedly breached regulations through its criticisms of what it termed “the martyrs.”

While the Iraqi government maintains strong ties with Iran, the nation’s demographic landscape is diverse, encompassing various religious and ethnic groups. The population includes many Sunnis and Kurds—most of whom are also Sunni—who often express discomfort with the level of deference shown towards Iran. Interestingly, many Shia Iraqis privately share similar sentiments. Nevertheless, the presence of armed groups capable of violent retaliation has fostered a pervasive reluctance to voice dissent.

Farouk Hanna, a member of Parliament and chairman of the Culture, Media, and Antiquities Committee, did not contest the government’s decision to suspend MBC’s license. However, he did express disapproval of the mob that attacked the channel’s offices, stating, “It’s an unjustified act. There are legal ways to protest, not by burning and breaking things.”

Muqdad Meri, the spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, indicated that an investigation would be launched to determine why security forces dispatched to quell the situation were unable to protect the television station. However, he did not guarantee that those responsible for the vandalism would be held accountable.

MBC, formerly recognized as the Middle East Broadcasting Center, has faced controversy in Iraq on at least two prior occasions due to its portrayal of figures aligned with Iran. The tension surrounding this latest incident highlights the complex interplay of media, politics, and public sentiment in a nation still grappling with its identity.

Falih Hassan contributed reporting from Baghdad.

More From Author

U.S. Defense Secretary Urges Israel to Reduce Strikes in Lebanon Amid Civilian Casualties

Cuba Experiences Massive Power Outage Amid Infrastructure Crisis

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *