Latest news with #CommunicationsandMediaCommission
Shafaq News
02-07-2025
- Shafaq News
Iraq unveils tech readiness for Ashura in Karbala
Shafaq News – Karbala Iraq has announced full technical readiness for managing mobile communication services during the Ashura pilgrimage in Karbala, one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world. In a press conference, Nawfal Abu Ragheef, head of the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) explained that the preparations began ahead of the Islamic month of Muharram and will intensify through the peak of Ashura on the 10th day, extending into the Arba'een pilgrimage—a 40-day commemoration of Imam Hussein Bin Ali's martyrdom that attracts millions of Shiite pilgrims from Iraq, Iran, and across the Muslim world. Abu Ragheef noted that more than 1,253 telecom towers will cover Karbala Province this year. All equipment has been upgraded, and 73 mobile towers have been installed along roads leading into the city. In addition, 106 new permanent towers have been erected to expand coverage and strengthen network performance. One of the key developments includes the deployment of 75 high-capacity 'smart cells' in the historic city center, particularly in the area known as Bayn al-Haramayn—the space between the two shrines of Imam Hussein and his brother Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas. 'These smart cells are designed to enhance signal strength and ensure uninterrupted connectivity amid the massive influx of visitors.' Abu Ragheef also emphasized a sharp rise in capacity: 606 towers will operate on exceptional frequency bands during the day of Ashura—compared to just 73 last year—representing a nearly 500% increase in support for mobile networks. To support the anticipated wave of international visitors, additional towers have also been installed at key border crossings and entry points, including Shalamcheh, Sheeb, Safwan, Mehran (in Wasit Province), and Najaf International Airport. This year, the CMC has also overseen the transition of all telecom operators in Karbala to 4G networks, with infrastructure capable of supporting 5G. Among the most notable innovations is the use of AI-powered predictive models to anticipate crowd congestion. These tools will enable authorities to deploy preemptive measures and reduce pressure on hotspots across the city.
Iraqi News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq to track hate speech in media
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, instructed the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) on Thursday to track hate speech and sectarian incitement, in addition to any content that threatens national security and state institutions. Al-Sudani's remarks took place during his meeting with the CMC's director, Balasim Al-Janabi, and other media officials, where they reviewed the strategic approach to develop a single strategy for the commission's activities in the next phase, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Al-Sudani reiterated the importance of keeping up with worldwide developments in the media industry, specifically in information technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and communications. The Iraqi prime minister encouraged the CMC to strengthen its capacities, use its material and human resources to make a qualitative transformation, and draw on the brains and expertise of Iraqi universities and research institutions. Al-Sudani indicated that the CMC plays an important role in the communications sector in terms of the quality of service offered to residents and described the integration of the media industry as a critical component of the Iraqi economy.
Shafaq News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's top judiciary warns against destabilization amid Israeli-Iranian escalation
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council on Thursday warned against actions that could undermine national sovereignty or incite unrest, as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran raises fears of spillover onto Iraqi territory. In a statement issued after a high-level meeting in Baghdad, Council President Faiq Zidan stressed that Iraq's sovereignty is a 'red line,' pledging firm legal measures against any individual or group that contributes to internal instability or promotes foreign agendas amid the regional crisis. The meeting, brought together senior judges, security leaders, officials from the Communications and Media Commission, and representatives from the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, discussed the dangers of misinformation and incitement, particularly in light of escalating regional developments. Zidan emphasized the importance of protecting Iraq from becoming an arena for external confrontations. 'Iraq's security and sovereignty are national priorities, and any attempt to compromise them will face legal accountability,' he said. He also called on the national media to avoid fueling sectarian divisions or foreign narratives, and instead support public order and reinforce unity amid rising tensions in the region.
MTV Lebanon
01-06-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Iraq suspends licenses of 10 satellite channels for "fomenting sectarianism and violence"
Iraq suspended the licenses of 10 satellite television channels, including Qatar-based Al-Jazeera, for promoting violence and sectarianism, a senior official at the country's media watchdog said on Sunday. "We took a decision to suspend the license of some satellite channels that adopted language encouraging violence and sectarianism," Mujahid Abu al-Hail of the Communications and Media Commission told AFP. "It means stopping their work in Iraq and their activities, so they cannot cover events in Iraq or move around," Hail said. The suspended channels included pan-Arab network Al-Jazeera and Sharqiya, a leading channel in Iraq. The move comes after a wave of violence that began on Tuesday with clashes between security forces and Sunni Arab protesters in northern Iraq that has killed a total of more than 215 people. The violence is the deadliest so far linked to demonstrations that broke out in Sunni areas of the Shiite-majority country more than four months ago. The Sunni protesters have called for the resignation of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and railed against authorities for allegedly targeting their community, including what they say are wrongful detentions and accusations of involvement in terrorism.
Iraqi News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Digital Platforms Provided to Facilitate Journalists' Coverage of the Arab League Summit: Abu Ragheef
The Chairman of the Communications and Media Commission, Nawfal Abu Ragheef, announced on Friday the provision of digital platforms to support journalists covering the upcoming Arab Summit. Abu Ragheef stated, 'In cooperation with the Media Office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, the Commission has been engaged for the past ten days in exceptional efforts across all levels and sectors. This work has been coordinated with relevant entities, including professional unions, technical bodies, official institutions, and other concerned entities as part of the preparations for the summit.' He added that the Commission has established key service providers to provide exceptional internet and telecommunications coverage. Additionally, a dedicated platform has been launched to collect information related to participating journalists, including contact details and relevant data, in order to streamline their coverage of the event. 'This moment marks a significant and exceptional event for Iraq,' Abu Ragheef noted, 'underscoring Baghdad's historic leadership role in fostering dialogue, promoting peace, and advancing reconciliation throughout the country's history.' He emphasized that the presence of Arab leaders and presidents in Baghdad for the summit represents an important milestone and a further sign of Iraq's ongoing recovery—an encouraging addition to the country's broader trajectory of resurgence in recent years.
