JURIST - Paper Chase: Iraq closes Al Jazeera in Baghdad for one month

The interim Iraqi government ordered the Qatar-based Al Jazeera satellite television network to close its Baghdad office Saturday for inciting violence and hatred. Iraqi officials have commented that Al Jazeera's open footage of threatened hostages has encouraged more kidnappings, and so the government must close down the office to "protect the people of Iraq." Al Jazeera spokesman Jihad Ballout said that the lockout is unjustifiable and contrary to the freedom of press and expression. He defended Al Jazeera as non-partisan and promised to still cover Iraq despite the office's closure. For reaction from Al Jazeera's English language website, click here. Reuters has the full story.

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