The toppling of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003 gave the Iraqi media a huge impetus. The country’s press is witnessing a renaissance, yet this renaissance, in the form of a multitude of newspapers and other publications, comes at a high price. Iraq has for several years topped the list of countries with the highest number of journalist casualties in the world. After the American-led invasion in 2004, the journalists working in Iraq – both Iraqis and foreigners – have been a prime target of both insurgent and terrorist attacks while receiving very little protection form the alliance forces and the Iraqi government.

The strongest assets for the revived Iraqi press are the avid Iraqi readers. An Arab saying goes: “Cairo writes, Beirut publishes and Baghdad reads.” Nevertheless the Iraqi press still suffers from a predominantly political ownership; the major dailies are owned by either the Kurdish, Shi’a or Sunni parties. Only a few publications are owned by independent institutions or individuals. The latter are, for the most part, mere front figures, whose publications are financed by politically motivated rich businessmen based in the Gulf.

In 2003 more than 230 newspapers were published for the first time and most of them only for a very short time. The number of Iraqi journalists kidnapped or murdered during the last tree years is almost the same figure. There are more than 80 newspapers published in Iraq today; many appear irregularly and are often distributed to supporters and sympathizers for free

Language: Arabic
Established: 2003
Published daily

One of the most widely circulating newspapers, which provides a nuanced coverage and editorials on the Iraqi conflict. Its reputation was, however, tarnished when the American Congress uncovered its name among the Iraqi newspapers that published “positive” articles about the situation in Iraq in return for funds.

Website: http://www.addustour-iraq.com

Language: Arabic
Established in: 2004
Published daily

A daily published by the Higher Council of the Islamic Revolution, the largest Shi’a faction. Its owner is Adel Abd Al Mahdi, a Shi’a Vice President of Iraq. Has a very professional website.

Website: http://www.aladala.net

Language: Arabic
Established: 2002
Published weekly

In spite of being published in Baghdad and in Arabic, Al Ahali has its focus on Kurdish themes and its editorials reflect pro-Kurdish views.

Website: http://www.ahali-iraq.net

Language: Arabic
Established: 1998
Published daily

A radical Shi’a newspaper published by the Iraqi Hezbollah Movement.

Website: http://www.al-bayyna.com

Language: Arabic
Established: 1992
Published weekly

The official daily of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), one of the two ruling Kurdish factions headed by the present President of Iraq, Jalal Talibani.

Website: http://www.alitthad.com

Language: Arabic
Established: 2000 (in Holland)
Published weekly

This weekly is owned by Al Watan Party of Iraq, a nationalist organizations with Baathist sympathies and offices in Damascus, Syria.

Website: http://www.alitijahalakhar.com

Language: Arabic
Established: N/A
Published daily (irregularly)

This newspaper is owned by one of the oldest Shi’a Islamic parties, Al Da'wa.

Website: N/A

Language: Arabic
Established: 2004
Published daily

Al Mada has clear allegiance to the Higher Council of the Islamic Revolution, the largest Shi’a faction. It features a special page on the “Re-establishment of the Rule of Law”, covering the latest development on security issues.

Website: http://www.almadapaper.com

Language: Arabic
Established: 2004
Published daily

One of the first dailies to spring up in Baghdad after the fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein. Reflects pro-Shi’a sympathies. It reports actively from Iraq’s neighboring countries, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.

Website: http://www.al-mashriq.net

Language: Arabic
Established 2004
Published daily (irregularly)

An independent daily with Sunni sympathies. Al Safeer appears irregularly and has been targeted twice by terrorist attacks (presumably Shi’a militias) killing two of its chief editors.

Website: N/A
 

Language: Arabic
Established: 2003
Published daily (irregularly)

A Kurdish daily published by one of the two main Kurdish faction, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) lead by Masoud Barazani, presently President of the autonomous province of Kurdistan.

Website: http://www.taakhinews.org
 

Language: Arabic
Established: 2003
Published daily

A liberal pro-government daily with focus on the less bloody side of Iraqi life, filing nearly a propaganda campaign against terrorism.

Website: http://www.alsabaah.com
 

Language: Arabic
Established: 2004
Published daily

An independent daily that tries to keep a critical line both vis-à-vis the government, the American forces and the violent insurgency. The editorials are also published in English.

Website: http://www.newsabah.com

Language: Arabic
Established: 1997
Published daily

The leading Iraqi daily published by a wealthy media concern, which until recently included the satellite TV channel Al Sharqiya. Az Zaman was first published in 1997 in London by its actual owner Saad Al Bazzaz, who is an old associate of President Saddam Hussein turned dissident. In spite of the controversial standing of its editor-in-chief, Az Zaman has some of the best and leading columnists and writers in Iraq providing it with a wide range of views and analysis with a true Iraqi flavor, as well as a sophisticated literary supplement. Az Zaman has a weekly called Az Zaman al Jadeed and an English version of its daily.

Website: http://www.azzaman.com

Language: Arabic
Established 1991
Published daily

The official daily of the Iraqi Movement for National Reconciliation, lead by former Prime Minister Iyyad Alawi.

Website: http://www.baghdad-newspaper.com

Language: Arabic
Established: 1974
Published weekly

The official newspaper of the Iraqi Communist Party, once a very influential organisation.

Website: http://www.tareekalshaab.com

Language: Kurdish
Established: 1959 (monthly, then weekly)
Published daily

Probably the oldest Kurdish  newspaper. The organ of the Kurdistan Democratic Party provides an extensive covering of the political and cultural news of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Website: http://www.xebat.net