Iraq’s Ministry of Communications has blocked access to IMDb since November 26, 2023, citing concerns over “immoral content.” As a significant entertainment resource, IMDb serves millions globally. The ban reflects ongoing internet censorship trends in Iraq, where freedoms have reportedly stifled under increasing government control and frequent outages.
On November 26, Iraq’s Ministry of Communications enacted a ban on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), citing concerns regarding what it termed as “immoral content.” As a widely recognized platform with over 200 million monthly visitors, IMDb serves as a primary source for information on films and television shows. The ministry’s action was a result of ongoing surveillance conducted by the Al-Salam General Company, a governmental entity responsible for website regulation. In their announcement, the ministry defended its decision, asserting that it was not arbitrary and was made following the detection of pornographic materials and unethical pages on the site.
The potential negative impact of this ban on Iraqi society and its cultural values was highlighted, yet the ministry did not clarify which specific content led to the decision to block access. IMDb is primarily available in European languages and Hindi, lacking an Arabic language version. According to a recent report from Freedom House, internet freedom in Iraq has significantly declined, characterized by frequent website blocks and internet outages. Iraq has emerged as the world’s leading nation in internet interruptions, many of which occur during academic examinations to deter cheating, ultimately costing the economy an estimated $1.4 million daily.
The administration under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has intensified efforts to control online content and increase governmental authority. This includes arbitrary internet shutdowns during census activities and school examinations. Despite achieving an internet penetration rate of 78.7% by January 2024 and hosting approximately 36.22 million users, Iraq still faces significant infrastructure challenges, with high internet costs relative to service quality. This development aligns Iraq with neighboring countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, which are known for their stringent regulations regarding internet access.
The recent action taken by Iraq to block IMDb reflects a growing trend of increasing online censorship within the country. The need to protect societal values and cultural norms has been cited by officials as a primary motivation behind regulating internet content. The ban comes amidst an overall decline in internet freedom, with reports noting numerous website blocks and internet outages, particularly during sensitive periods like academic examinations. This atmosphere of restriction echoes similar patterns observed in neighboring nations, drawing attention to the broader regional context of internet regulation.
In conclusion, Iraq’s decision to block access to IMDb is indicative of a broader trend towards stringent online censorship in the country. The rationale provided by the Ministry of Communications underscores the ongoing tensions between cultural preservation and access to global information platforms. As Iraq grapples with significant internet infrastructure challenges and high access costs, the implications of such censorship measures raise concerns about the future of digital freedoms in the region.
Original Source: www.intellinews.com
