Baghdad, Dec 18 (IANS/EFE) Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Thursday ordered the withdrawal of all pending government lawsuits against journalists and media outlets that were filed by his predecessor, Nouri al-Maliki.
A statement released by Abadi's office said the decision not to proceed with the legal action is an indication of the new prime minister's "keenness to ensure freedom of expression... and his desire that the media have a big role in building the country."
He urged all media outlets to behave "responsibly" and help in the building of state institutions.
During his eight years in power, it was not unusual to see Al Maliki threaten journalists and media he considered sympathetic to his political opponents with arrest or lawsuits.
The head of the Iraqi Journalists' Union, Mouyyad al-Lami, praised the decree, saying it would provide legal guarantees and safe environment for journalism in Iraq.
--IANS/EFE
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