Iraq Suspends "MBC" Broadcasting Due to Report on Pro-Iran Leaders
The Iraqi move raises questions about the independence of media in the country and its ability to address issues related to armed militias without restrictions. The action taken against the Saudi chan
October 19, 2024, 9:20 pm

مجموعة إم بي سي \ تعبيرية \ متداول

On Saturday, Iraqi media authorities issued a decision to suspend the activities of the Saudi channel "MBC" in its territory, following the broadcast of content describing leaders of armed factions allied with Tehran as "terrorists".

A statement issued by the Iraqi Media and Communications Commission, published by the government news agency (INA), stated that the suspension of the channel's operations came as a result of "MBC satellite channel's violation of media publishing guidelines through its repeated violations and insults" to those it called "symbols of victory and resistance leaders."

This decision comes in a tense context between Gulf media outlets and armed groups in Iraq, where the latter accuse some news channels of bias against them and distorting their image. This measure has sparked widespread controversy over the limits of freedom of expression and the influence of political forces on the media landscape in the country.

MBC is one of the most prominent media platforms in the Arab world, and suspending its broadcast in Iraq could lead to diplomatic repercussions between Baghdad and Riyadh. This event also highlights the challenges facing journalism in the region, especially when addressing sensitive topics related to armed groups and their political influence.

Observers view this step as potentially enhancing self-censorship among media outlets operating in Iraq, which could negatively affect the flow of information and the diversity of viewpoints presented to the Iraqi public.

Levant-Follow up

Trump's Immigration Focus: A Strategy for the 2024 Election Russian President Praises Saudi Arabia's Role in the Ukrainian Crisis

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”