Divided coverage for "breach of sovereignty"

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Iraqi Media House

Divided coverage for "breach of sovereignty"

Selectivity and partisanship controls news and reports of Zurbatiya cross-border incidents and Turkish troopsincursion

The Iraqi Media House is monitoring in its fifteenth report the Iraqi media coverage for the two incidents of "crossing the Iranian visitors across Zurbatiya cross-border (southeast of Baghdad), andTurkish troops incursion into Iraqi territory and concentration in a camp inside the town of Bashiqa.

In the end of November 2015, crowds of Iranian visitors have flowed in numbers that exceeded the capacity of the entrance. It turned out that a part of the visitors did not have valid visas, what caused confusion, overcrowding, and concourse led to smashing doors and fences, and to punitive damage , in addition to causing injuries for members of the border guards and chaos in the entrance, according to the announcement of the Iraqi ministry of interior.

At the beginning of December, Turkey sent hundreds of troops and dozens of tanks to "Ba'shiqah"Camp, 30 km north-east of Mosul. Ankara said that it's just a "routine change"In order to train the Peshmerga forces that hostile to ISIS. At the same time Baghdad announced that it "occupation and asked to withdrawal the Turkish troops from Iraq.

The Iraqi media covered these two accident in a clear contradiction.In addition, some media published videos and audio material without validatingtheir broadcast dates or occurrence time. Furthermore, they depend on unreliable posts published on the social media.

Monitoring Categories

1-    Social Media (Face book, twitter, Youtube)

2-    News sites.

3-    Newspapers.

4-    Official Sites

5-    Political parties and blocs.

Iraqi Media House monitored what have been published on the social media about Iranian pilgrimage entering and Turkish incursion. As well as The Iraqi Media House monitored the hashtags which are published by media and activists.                 

The Iraqi Media House has been mentioned that the most of activities post on the social media is lacked to accuracy and their post is just tendency to their religious, doctrine, national and political back ground.

1-    Entering of Iranian pilgrimage to Zurbatiya cross-boarder.

a-    Twitter

* Some of the tweets had  a communal ora to them, due to that many of them allowed the entering of the Iranian pilgrimage  because they are Shiit, while the barbarians were banned from coming to Baghdad because they are Sunni.

•          Some of Iraqi media has been inserted several various "hashtags" during their media covering for the accident, like Alhurra Iraq TV, and some of them are#الزوار الايرانيين #زرباطية #الزيارة _الاربعينية #واسط

•          Some  of the Iraqi media didn't published any "hashtags" during their media coverage, for example (Altaghier, Alghadeer, Almirbad radio, Today news agency, Iraqna for news, Almustaqbal, AllIraqNews, Alanba' Aliraqia, Mawazeen agency, ShakwMakw, Waradana, Almawsilyah)

The most popularhashtags that the activists used are:

#الا_كفيل

#استقلال

#وضع_فيطي

#ايران

#العراق

#خاوة

#معبر_بزيبز

#لقاء_مكي_ يدعو_لقتل_الزوار

#قادسية_زرباطية

#منفذ_زرباطية

The Iraqi Interior Minister Mohammed Salem Al Ghabban published tweets contains some links to explain the Iraqi Interior Ministry's position about the issue.

b-    Face Book

•          Iraqi media in their facebook pages focused on the news about entering number of Iranian's pilgrimages into Iraq without valid entry visas, while other media focused on the Iranian's apology about the accident.
•          Some Iraqi media published videos about the pilgrimages entering and commented on it by a political and religion statements, such as: "Where is the Iraqi sovereignty" and "The low enforcement only on us" … etc.

c-    YouTube

•          The Activists published videos about the Iranian pilgrimagesencroach at irregular manner.
•          Most of Iraqi's channel published Newsbreaks and talk shows about the accident in their You Tube's channels. The activists republished those videos, such as:Alhurra Iraq channel report.

2-    The Turkish intervention

a-    Twitter

•          Iraqi media published various hashtags about the accident such as: Alhurra Iraq channel, Altaghier, Rudaw, AlsabahAljadeed.

•          The activists published many pictures about stationing of Turkish troops or their withdrawal from Iraq without validating.

•          The most important Hashtags which used by Iraqi media and activists are:

   

  #اردوغان

   

  #توغل_التركي

   

  #تركيا_تسحب قواتها

   

  #بعشيقة

   

  #تدخل_التركي

   

  #الموصل

   

  #ولاية نينوى

   

  #تركيا_تغزو_العراق

   

  #داطلي 

•          Some Iraqi media didn't published any hashtags during their media coverage such as: Alyawm news agency, Iraquna for news, Almustaqbal, Kul Aliraq, Alanba' Aliraqiyah, Mawazeen agency, ShakwMakw, Waradana, Almawsiliyah, Himreen news, Kul Alkhbar, Alhadath, Alrasheed, Shafaqnews,Alitijah, OyonAliraq, PUK media.

b-    Facebook

•          The activists published Government's data and speeches of politicians, clerics and military who are Condemn Turkish bombing in Iraq.
•          Some activists have published photos and posts of a sectarian or partisan nature in which they compared the Iraqi Government's position toward the two issues.

c-    You Tube

•          The activists have published videos of Military armor and tankers. They claimed that these videos either for the Turkish army entering to Iraq or for their withdrawal without validating.
•          Most of the Iraqi media channels have published press reports on their channels.

Third: News sites

1-  Storming Zurbatiya cross-border 

a-    Iraq Alqanoon site:

Besides the routine coverage of the Ministry of Interior's data regarding the border port storming incident.In 1/12/2015, Iraq Alqanoon site published a report about a statement of one of the National Alliance MPs. This report called " Alfoada MP calls thecoalition forces toprosecuteAlnujaifi".

In5/12/2015, the site have published an article byAbdul Khaliq Hussein under the title" A Scheme to steal the Iraqi's victory"

b-    Brathaajency site

1-    Storming Zurbatiya cross-border

Besides the routine coverage of the border port storming incident.Bratha site published many articles like:

In 6/12/2015 the site published an article by KasimAlajraf titled: "The revolution of Facebook users against the Iranian pilgrimage"

Turkish Incursion

Besides the routine coverage of Political repercussions and the Iraqi statements about Turkish incursion, the site have published articles and reports such as:

 In 6/12/2015 the site published a report about statement issued by the Information Office of the Deputy of the Turkmen State of Law bloc Jassim Mohammed Jaafar titled: "Jaafar confirming: the entry of Turkish troops to Iraq is over a year ago to divide Iraq".

 In 13/12/2015 the site have published a long article by Abbas Albaghdadi titled: "Turkish-Gulf scheme to clone the Syrian fire in Iraq"

c-    Altagheir channel site

Turkish Incursion

Besides the routine coverage of Political repercussions aboutthe different data which caused br=y the Turkish incursion to Ninawa ,Altaghier site published many reports and videos accompanied by comments that seek to employ the event politically

 In 3/12/2015, the site have published a video of Hakim Alzamili MP the Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Security and Defense titles: "threats to attack Turkish troops while hundreds of Iranian militants fight in Iraq"

d-    Alrafidain channel site:

Storming Zurbatiya cross-border

 Besides the routine coverage of the Storming Zurbatiya cross-border accident, the site have published:

In 9/12/2015, the site published a brief news titled, "Dr. Abdul Hamid al-Ani: Iran militias actually involved in crimes against Iraqis".

Turkish Incursion

The site just published a routine coverage of the political repercussions and Iraqi-Turkish statements about the Turkish incursion in Ninawa.

Almasalla site

Zurbatiyahand Turkish Incursion

Besides the routine coverage of the storming Zurbatiya cross-border by the Iranian pilgrimages, the site have published:

In 17/12/2015 it has published an article titled: "AlNajafi .. And the Turkish state".

 e-    Iraqi newspaper

Storming Zurbatiya cross-border

Besides the routine coverage of the Storming Zurbatiya cross-border accident, the newspaper have republished many of AlqudsAlarabi newspaper andAlarab from Qatar newspaper's articles, such as:

In 10/12/2015 the newspaper have published an article by Muthanna Abdullah titled: Who threatens Iraq's national security: Anbar displaced or Iranian visitors".

Turkish Incursion

In 16/12/2015, the newspaper have republished an article by Muthanna Abdullah titled: "Turkey and Iran in the Iraqi political balance / Al Quds Al Arabi".

f-     Alistiqlal agency

Storming Zurbatiya cross-border

The agency published many news and reports about Iranian visitors' crossing of Al Zurbatiyacross-border one of them is:

In 29/11/2015 the agency have published a news as a title: "Half million Iranians storm Zurbatiya cross-border without passports, attacking border guards. There are fears that they may be came as occupiers".

Turkish Incursion

Besides the routine coverage of Political repercussions of the Iraqi – Turkish statements about Turkish incursion in Ninawa, the agency published some articles one of them is:

In 10/12/2015, the agency published a statement from the Information Office of the Prime Minister titled: ""A statement from the Information Office of Haider al-Abadi admits the task of Turkish troops is training."

g-    Alaalemaljadeed newspaper

The newspaper published many articles one of them is:

In 16/12/2015, the newspaper published an article by Abdul kadirAlkaisi titled: " Is the Turkish military existence in Iraq, to forcibly help it, considered violation of sovereignty?

h-    Rudaw channel site:

 Turkish Incursion

Besides the routine of the political repercussions and Turkish and Iraqi government statements, the site published news, reports and articles such as:

In 4/12/2015 the site published: "An official at the Peshmerga forces deny the entry of Turkish military forces to Ba'shiqah".

i-      Almustaqilla agency

Storming Zurbatiya cross-border

Besudes the routine coverage of the storming Zurbatiya cross-border the agency published many reports one of them is:

On 30/11/2015 the agency published a report titled "Alkarboli:Government silent about Iranian visitors excesses of Iraqi sovereignty sign of weakness".

j-     Kitatbat fi mezan site:

Storming Zurbatiya cross-border

The site published many articles on of them is:

On 3/12/2015 the site published an article by KhuzaalAllami titled: "Zurbatiyahcross-borderand Bedouinshorns!".

Third: Newspapers:

a-    Azzaman newspaper:

The newspaper published many articled about the two incidents such as:

•          On 8^th of December, it published an article titled :"About what sovereignty they talk!" by Sami Alzubaidi.

http://www.azzaman.com/?p=137886

b-    AlsabahAljadeed

The newspaper published many articles about the two incidents on of them is:

An article titled: "When the lions get old" by Ali Sabir Mohammed.

http://www.newsabah.com/wp/newspaper/68328

c-    Almada newspaper

•          About Zurbatiya incident the newspaper published an article on 5^th of December titled: "Attacks on Border Patrol before Zurbatiya incident, and Iranian officer urged the storming"
•          About Turkish Incursion, the newspaper published many news and articles such as:

On 6^th of December the newspaper published: "Turks penetrated 100 kilometers in the Iraqi territory and burned an agreement concluded with Saddam, which does not allow the establishment of military bases" by Wa'ilNi'ma"

d-    Aladala newspaper

The newspaper didn’t publish anything about Zurbatiya incident but about the Turkish incursion published:

On 7^th of December "The parliament plans to discuss Turkish incursion in the Tuesday session".

http://aladalanews.net/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b5%d9%81%d8%ad%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%88%d9%84%d9%89/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%b1%d9%84%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%8a%d8%b9%d8%aa%d8%b2%d9%85-%d9%85%d9%86%d8%a7%d9%82%d8%b4%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%aa%d9%88%d8%ba%d9%84-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%aa%d8%b1%d9%83%d9%8a-%d8%a8/  

e-    Alalam

Alalam published many news and articles such as: "900 Turkish troops on the outskirts of Mosul .. Najafiexpected «significant developments» within 20 days".

http://www.alaalem.com/index.php?aa=news&id22=34279

f-     Baghdad Alikhbariya

There was nothing about Zurbatiya incident, while the newspaper was publishing many articles about the Turkish Incursion one of them is:

On 7^th of December, the newspaper published an article titled: "MPs call for an extraordinary session and  Province Turkey economically".

http://www.baghdadnp.com/news.php?action=view&id=40024&spell=0&highlight=%C7%E1%CA%E6%DB%E1+%C7%E1%CA%D1%DF%ED

http://www.ina-iraq.net/content.php?id=32655

g-    AlanbaaAliraqiya

•          About Zurbatiya incident, the newspaper published an article titled: "Ministry of Interior: uncontrollable of the situation in the Zurbatiya cross-border" : http://www.ina-iraq.net/content.php?id=32363
•           About the Turkish incursion" A demonstration in the center of Baghdad condemns the Turkish incursion"

Fourth: Official Media Positions

 The Presidency of the Republic

 On 5^th of December , the president of the republic  FuadMasum and the Prime Minister Haidar al-Abbadi held a meeting, which issued a statement by the Presidency of the Republic that urged Turkey to withdraw its troops and considered it a violation of norms and international laws and Iraqi sovereignty.

On 12^th of December , the Presidency of the Republic issued a statement on the result of the meeting of the three presidencies and the leaders of the political parties.

The government

On 3^rd of December, the government issued its first statement about the Turkish incursion.

On 5^th of December , the government issued a statement confirming the Turkish incursion.

On 6^th of December , the government issued a statement about the meeting of the council of Ministers for National security, in which it renewed the Iraqi stand against the entry of the Turkish troops to Iraq.

On 7^th of December, the government issued a statement about the meeting between the Prime Minister  Haidar al-Abadi and the German Minster of Foreign Affairs Frank Steinmeier which touched the Turkish incursion.

On 8^th of December, the government issued a statement on the Council of Ministers  meeting , the statement stressed that the Council of Ministers unanimously agreed that the " entry of the Turkish troops is objectionable and unacceptable ."

At the same day the government issued another statement about a telephone conversation between Al-abadi and the head of the Kurdistan region, MassoudBarzaniAbadi reiterated the stance of rejecting the entry of Turkish troops without the knowledge or consent of the government

At the same day, the government issued a third statement on the telephone conversation between al-Abadi and the General Secretary of NATO Jens Stoltenberg ensuring that " Turkish forces exist without the knowledge and approval of the Iraqi government."

On 10^th of December, the government issued a new statement on the Turkish incursion in response to the controversy that took place between the political forces about the existence of prior approval from the Iraqi Government about the incursion by Turkish troops ,

At the same day , a Turkish delegation led by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Davutoglu and HakanFidan, head of the intelligence service visited Baghdad, and the government issued a statement confirmed that it had informed the delegation that "the solution to the crisis is limited to the full withdrawal of Turkish troops from Iraqi territory."

On 11^thof  December , the government issued a statement declaring that the face of the Foreign Affairs  Ministry al-Abadi lodged a formal complaint with the UN Security Council by the government on the Turkish incursion

On 12^th of December, the government issued a statement announcing the Council of Ministers’ authorization for its head  HaiderAbadi, " to take appropriate steps and actions on the Turkish troops bypass on the Iraqi border ."

On 15^th of December, the government issued a statement commenting on the withdrawal of part of the Turkish troops from Mosul proclaiming "The request from Turkey for full withdrawal from Iraqi territory and respect its national sovereignty. "

Parliament

Presidency of parliament didn't declare a direct stance on the Turkish incursion. On 8^th of December, the parliament issued a statement about a meeting between the parliament president Salim al-Jubouri and the governor of Nineveh province NofalHammoudi. It stated that "the meeting discussed the efforts to help Iraqby countries and all the brothers in his confrontation against ISIS gangs, and to emphasize the need for the provision of assistance which is based on the principle of respect for Iraqi sovereignty ,and which isapproved from diplomatic norms ".

On 6^th of December, deputy of the parliament presidentHumamHamoudi, issued a statement saying that "the entry of Turkish troops into Iraqi territory is a flagrant violation of Iraq's national sovereignty."

On 8 ^th of December,Hamoudi declared in a second statement that "Hosting the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs in order to release the details of the circumstances of the Turkish aggression against Iraqi territory, and government actions  which was taken about it."

On 8^th of December,Hamoudi declareda third statement reiterated the rejection of any Arab or Foreig- Ojunbi-military intervention without seeking prior approval from the Iraqi government.

In 9^th of December, Hamoudiissued a fourth statement in which he announced that "Turkey's determination to overcome the country's sovereignty became clear with regret."

On 12^thof  December, the deputy parliament president HumamHamoudi, issued in a fifth statement that "the people and the government have a unified stance against any external force violated the country's sovereignty.

Second Deputy hasn't issued to the Parliament president Sheikh Aram any statement on the incident.

On 8^th of December, the security and defense committeeheld a meeting inthe parliament described as "Urgent " to discuss the Turkish military intervention in Iraq.

On 8^th ofDecember,The Security and Defense Committee announced hosting of the Turkish ambassador in Baghdad, FarouqQimagja to provide an explanation regarding the violation of the Turkish forces of the Iraqi territory.

On 13^th of December, The Security and Defense Committee announced hosting of the governor of Nineveh province NofalAkol and Vice Nineveh, to discuss Turkish incursion.

On 8^th of December, the Foreign Relations Committee issued a statement condemning the Turkish incursion.

On the same day, Foreign Relations Committee announced for a meeting between President Hassan Soerdand GeorgiPosten deputy head of the UN mission in Iraq to discuss the crisis with Turkey ,and ways to resolve them through diplomatic channels.

4) Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On 5^th of December, the State Department issued its first position on the Turkish incursion.

On 8^th of December, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which he announced that a telephone conversation took place between Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari with his Turkish counterpart MawlodOglo. Al-Jaafari confirmed the need to respect the sovereignty of Iraq and the withdrawal of all Turkish troops from its territory. "

 On 10^th of December, Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced "itscontacts with the international community in terms of making an international attitude towards the Turkish violation of sovereignty."

On 12^th of December, the Foreign Ministry announced that "al-Jaafari held a meeting with high-level Turkish delegation at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, and Iraq confirmed that the presence of Turkish troops is a violation of Iraqi sovereignty."

On 12^th of December, Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it submitted a formal complaint to the Security Council concerning the Turkish incursion, after Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan's stated that Turkey will not withdraw its troops.

On 13^th of December, Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari issuedpreviously, a lengthy statement hosted in the parliament session in which he announced that his ministry has moved on several axes included aIraqi - Turkish direct dialogue .Also, to connect with the Arab League, with the member of states of the UN Security Council, and to stress their stand by Iraq.

5) Ministry of Defense

On 6^th of December, the Ministry of Defense announced the first position on the Turkish incursion, and issued a lengthy statement confirming the entry of Turkish armored force at the night on 3^rd of December, to the inside of the Iraqi border towards the city of Mosul.

The statement, that "the entry of Turkish troops inside Iraq in this way is a violation of Iraqi sovereignty".

 On 7^th of December, the Ministry of Defence announced that meeting the  MinisterKhaled al-Obeidi with the Turkish ambassador inBaghdad, FarouqQaamakja.

 On the same day,The Ministry of Defence announced about a meeting between al-Obeidi with the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Baghdad, Jan Kubiš, to discuss the developments arising from the entry of Turkish troops into Iraqi territory.

 On 10^th of December,TheMinistry of Defense announcedfor a meeting between al-Obeidi with a Turkish delegation included FeridunSinrlhIhsanoglu, the Special Representative of the Turkish prime minister and head of the National Intelligence Agency HakanFidan.Al-Obeidiaffirmed the necessity that "the Turkish government take the initiative to withdraw Turkish troops fully."

6) Ministry of Interior

On 10^th of  December, TheMinistryInteriorannounced for a meeting between its minister Mohammed Ghaban with the general coordinator of the international coalitionBrett Makourk to fight ISIS, the statement quoted Mkourk criticizing this"breakthrough," and considered it "unjustified and a violation of the sovereignty of Iraq."

7. Kurdistan Regional Government

On 5^th of December, the official spokesman announced for the Kurdistan Regional Government Sven Dzia,that the framework ofTurkey to fight against ISIS set up ,two bases for training and rehabilitation of the Peshmerga forces in Soran and Qlagaulin, lastyear.At the same time It opened another base to train Iraqi forces in Nineveh province, provided aid from the military, and in order to broaden the base of Mosul, Turkey has dispatched military experts and supplies to the base stated.

5)Political parties and personalities

 On 8^th of December, former Deputy Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki issued a statement in which he announced his rejection of the presence of Turkish troop.

1) United bloc

"Uniting for Reform" andIraqi coalition forces did notofficially issue  a statement on the Turkish incursion. But on 12^th of December Khaled Mafraji, who is a member inIraqi forces union, announced in statement in which he .called for resolving thecrisis through diplomatic means.

2( National coalition

On 13^Th of December President of the National Coalition, Iyad Allawi issued a statement in which he demanded the Iraqi government to tell the Iraqi people about the size of the Turkish military intervention and its history and to give priority to this matter."  He also stressed the need to resolve the crisis",by direct encounters with Turkey and the complaint to the Security Council."

3. The Supreme Islamic Council

On 12^th of December, the president of the Islamic Supreme Council Ammar al-Hakim praised in a statement,how the government dealt withthe violation of Iraqi sovereignty by Turkish armoredforces to the Iraqi land.

On 8^th of December, the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr announced a statement in which Parliament called for a vote on political escalation without the military to pull Turkish troops from the country, and he "questioned that Turkey has been on a long squat on Iraqi ground, so why it became today's controversial and a cause of resonant data that threaten to strike its interests or its territory,as Iraq was in need for a new war that strengthens the influence of ISIS."cursed

On 11^th of December, al-Sadr issued a statement in which he threatened to respond to the Turkish incursion and said that "the Turkish occupation is on the doorstep and there are people that are fighting the" occupation "andif they do not do their duty," we will act after a while."

5. Virtue Party

On 5^th of December, the Virtue Party announced a statement in which the party denounced the Turkish incursion and consider it"a clear violation of Iraq's sovereignty and threaten the territorial and community unity."

6. Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)

On 12^th of December, a delegation from the "Patriotic Union of Kurdistan," led by Mullah Bakhtiar announcedhis rejection of the Turkish incursion into the city.”

On 13^th of December, "Patriotic Union of Kurdistan," announced in a press statement, that secretary of the Central Council of the Union Adel Murad hosted the self-management delegation in Western Kurdistan,which included  theMinister of Women's Affairs Amina Omar. The statement cleared that "the Turkish moves and its expansionist policies will drag the region into war, which everyone will be affected Of."

7. Badr Organization

On 7^th of December the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri, leader said during a speech at the University of Mustansiriya "The Turks are not stronger than the Americans and  we will destroy the tanks on their heads.

8-Hezbollah Brigades

On 6^th of December, the Hezbollah Brigades announced in a statement that it "will not stand idly by in front of an incursion by Turkish troops, and will refund the critical response to these violations."

Sixth Notes:

1) Some media covered the incidents without balance, and adopted a political standards which made one of the incidents, a breach of the rule without the other.

2)Some of the media coverage focused on the incident without the other

3)The use of visual material and photographs which has been took in previous years, and attributed to this incidents. For example "Zurbatiyah port" incident last year.

4)Inconsistency and failure to provide accurate information on the details of the two incidents, as opposed to tactical political coverage.

5)The survey of journalist to follow up the developments, backgrounds, two incidents of incursion by Turkish troops, and the transit of Iranian visitors Zurbatiyah port without a formal visa, have been missed.

6)Media coverage of the incidents came as a reaction to developments in the coverage of "Twitter" and "Facebook".

7-Selection in the media coverage, applies to a large extent on media positions of the forces,personalities ,and political parties.

  8-Officialmedia attitudes showed glaring contradiction between the poles of official institutions, while Haider al-Abadi speaks of "the lack of agreement" between the two countries concerning the entry of Turkish troops into Iraqi territory. While Osama Najafi said that Baghdad asked for Turkey's help in the training of the national crowd forces.