Baghdad, April 28 (IANS) An Iraqi commission has suspended 10 satellite TV channels for allegedly inflaming sectarianism in their coverage of a Sunni Muslim protest, state media reported Sunday.
“The Iraqi Communication and Media Commission decided to suspend the licences of 10 satellite TV channels for adopting sectarian language during the events of Hawijah,” Xinhua quoted the Iraqia TV channel as saying.
The commission’s move came just days after clashes erupted last week between Iraqi security forces and anti-government Sunni protesters in Hawijah, where hundreds of security personnel backed by helicopters stormed a sit-in by Sunni Arabs.
The report said the coverage by those channels have encouraged violence and religious hatred.
