The Iraqi "Free" Press...

[theknife]

...apparently is only "free" as long as the US likes what is being written:

U-S-led coalition shuts down weekly newspaper run by followers of radical Shiite cleric
By Associated Press
Sunday, March 28, 2004

Baghdad, Iraq - The U-S-led coalition has shut down a weekly newspaper in Iraq, citing the threat of violence against occupation forces.

The newspaper (Al-Hawza) is run by followers of a hardline Shiite Muslim cleric who has been an outspoken critic of the U-S-led occupation. However, he has not called for armed attacks on coalition forces.

U-S officials say articles in the newspaper were increasing the threat of violence against U-S and other coalition troops.

One article claimed that a car bomb that killed 53 people was a rocket fired by an American helicopter. Another article was titled ``Bremer follows the steps of Saddam.''

The newspaper will be shut down for 60 days.

http://news.bostonherald.com/interna...articleid=1366

this is not a bright move on our part....there is really no such thing as an almost-free press. either you have it or you don't. this cannot possibly help what little credibility we have in the Arab world and beyond.