Migrating from the Advocacy of Personality Cult to a Vibrant Democratic Landscape: Four Decades of Iraqi Journalism Practice

This chapter spans the evolution of journalism practice in Iraq over a period extending from 1980 to 2023. It explores three main parts: (1) an overview of mainstream media before 2003, (2) the experience of youth television and weekly journalism from 1993 to 2003, and (3) the challenges following the 2003 US invasion of the country. The first part presents a comprehensive overview of the central Iraqi media before 2003, examining its structure and control mechanisms and the impact of politics on content. The second part focuses on the experience of youth television and weekly journalism from 1993 to 2003, highlighting the emergence of youth-focused media platforms. The last part deals with the challenges faced by the media in the period after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and beyond, which witnessed the fall of the regime and subsequent emergence of a more diverse media environment. This chapter aims to provide a description of the development of journalistic practice in an important country over nearly four decades while showcasing the shift in media style centered on praising the strongman to a more democratic country. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of media in shaping public discourse.