Training Iraq's Journalists

The freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty and can never be restrained but by despotic governments
Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)

Ensuring free speech and a free press is at the heart of building a peaceful democratic society. After 50 years of authoritarian rule, UNDP is working with Iraqi journalists to train the first generation of reporters and editors in the new Iraq.

In partnership with local writers, Iraqi ex-patriots returning home, and the Reuters Foundation, UNDP has developed a journalist handbook. This resource has since been used to offer 1 week trainings to dozens of new reporters across the country. Finally, because a free press requires somewhere to publish, UNDP created a web based news exchange online - aswataliraq.info. This site offers a way that journalists and media organizations to pool their news, exchange stories and opinions, and keep up with what is happening in other cities and provinces. In it's first two months as watal published over 500 articles written by Iraqi's about Iraq.

Learn more about UNDP's work in Iraq and with journalists in Arab countries.