Journalists Urged to Adhere to Electoral Commission Principles During Campaign Coverage

PUKMEDIA

A journalist's camera lens.

Karwan Anwar, Secretary of the Sulaymaniyah Branch of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate (KJS), has called on media outlets to adhere strictly to the principles set by the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) during the ongoing campaign for the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections.

Speaking to PUKMEDIA, Anwar warned that the extended campaign period and the large number of media outlets covering the elections could lead to disputes. He stressed the need for responsible journalism to ensure a clean and fair campaign environment.

“The Commission has amended Law No. 4 of 2025, which includes 29 articles concerning media, political parties and candidates. It prohibits the use of power, bribery, giving out letters of appreciation and the exploitation of religious, sectarian, ethnic or racial issues,” Anwar said. “Given the length of the campaign and the intensity of media competition, we expect clashes unless outlets follow the Commission’s guidelines.”

The KJS also issued a broader call for professionalism and ethics in covering the electoral process. It warned that heightened political discourse during the campaign risks pulling journalists and media organisations into partisan conflicts.

“The KJS urges all media to avoid actions that undermine social harmony or disrupt the political environment,” the syndicate said in a statement. “Journalists should instead uphold ethics and professionalism in their work.”

The syndicate further advised journalists to wear official identification, comply with safety requirements, and notify the Committee for the Protection of Journalists’ Freedom and Rights while covering the campaign. It also urged political parties, candidates, state institutions and the IHEC to provide support and cooperation to journalists, emphasising that journalism remains a cornerstone of freedom and democracy in the Kurdistan Region.

The electoral campaign for Iraq’s parliamentary elections, set for 11 November 2025, officially began last Friday and will run for 38 days, concluding on 8 November.



PUKMEDIA