Iraqi journalists rally against political pressure to silence reporting

Iraqi journalists take to the streets to demand protection from political parties and lawmakers they say are trying to silence critical reporting.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ (AUGUST 14, 2009) AGENCY POOL - Iraqi journalists took to the streets of Baghdad on Friday (August 14) to protest against what they say is political pressure to silence reporting critical of the government.
Dozens of journalists marched the streets of Iraq's capital chanting and carrying banners as they demanded protection from political parties and lawmakers they say are trying to muzzle the media.

"Yes, yes to freedom. No, no to silencing journalists," they chanted

The demonstration took place in front of Baghdad's famed Mutanabi Street book market.

The protest comes after reports that a prominent Iraqi journalist has been publicly criticised about his work on the arrest of five presidential guards on charges they staged a bank robbery that left eight security guards dead.