Iraq is the most dangerous area for journalists. We are considered wanted targets for the enemies of freedom of speech.

According to the Journalistic Freedom Observatory in Iraq, or the JFO, between March 3, 2007 and March 3, 2008 violations against journalists marked a 60% increase over the last year. This means one violation every 43 hours. It is an indicator to the reality of the freedom of journalists in Iraq and the risk for the future of independent media organizations. It will pave the way to widen the governmental policies that prevent journalists from reporting and repress their work.

Below is part of the JFO's report:

"The systematic monitoring of violations recorded across the ground or by direct communications from victims, revealed that the escalation of attacks happening against journalists by beating or use various forms of humiliations conducted by security forces and by elements of private protection forces to prevent the journalists from covering important events especially on explosion sites.

The JFO monitored the reported period 197 violations against journalist and media organization within the mentioned period, these violations distributed as are follows 88 cases of assault and preventing journalists from reporting by the Iraqi security agencies. 37 murders by unknown gunmen. 30 Arrests and detentions by Iraqi security forces. 15  violations attacks conducted by American forces, local authorities, and militias.

13 abductions by unknown groups, 6 of them released after having been beaten and tortured because of their profession, and 6 of them killed while one of them still unknown destiny. 9  cases filed by government officials against the journalist and media organizations to sue them in court. 5 storming operations against media organization by the U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Some journalists feel that this report neglected the threats and violations against independent media organizations, according to local reports in the newspapers.

Also the report didn't mention to the provoking attempt against some media institution by religious pulpits and mosques that air the agendas of their political parties which may represent a threat against Iraqi independent media, that one well known Iraqi cleric and MP used his Friday speech to urge worshipers against certain Iraqi media TV channels or newspapers that oppose the government's agendas.   So perhaps even this observatory is not quite free and neutral in its observations and therefore needs another observatory to monitor its output. As the ancient saying goes "Who watches the watchers???"