U.S. Accused of Jailing Journalists Without a Just Cause

An Iraqi cameraman working for such distinguished news organizations as the BBC, Reuters and NPR was recently detained by the U.S. military for nearly a month. It was but the latest questionable detention in what critics view as a pattern of intimidation.

For example, the U.S. held captive a Pulitzer Prize-winning AP photographer for two years on what the Committee to Protect Journalists described as “vague and unsubstantiated accusations.”

AP via Google:

Reuters and BBC demanded an explanation for al-Mashhadani’s detention.

“If there are legitimate issues about him or any other journalist, let’s have them aired openly and tested. If there are none, let them pursue their profession free from intimidation and fear,” said Reuters editor-in-chief David Schlesinger.

The advocacy group Reporters Without Border demanded that the military halt what it described as arbitrary arrests of journalists in Iraq.

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