Iraqi journalists face sacks of gold, fists of fire

[sabra]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Iraqi journalists who have survived deadly threats through years of war and insurgency now face a new challenge -- whether to accept cash "bonuses" from the government, and even cheap flats and free land.

The $1,000 bonus scheme was first proposed in 2007 but is only now being paid, while the under-priced apartments in Baghdad or plots of land in the provinces were approved by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki before his reappointment last month, said Hani al-Iqabi, an adviser with the journalist's syndicate.

The schemes, distributed through the journalist's union, bear echoes of the ways that Saddam Hussein used to buy the loyalty of the media, analysts and critics said.

They have alarmed media rights activists who fear that an explosion in press freedom since the Sunni dictator was ousted in 2003 may be coming to an end.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70P45S20110126

[formercia]

1. It works here, why not there?

:sarcasm:

[Uncle Joe]

2. You're just too cynical.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x140465

[formercia]

3. I remember that

Rove's butt ornament.