Some Iraqi journalists are attempting to limit repeated attacks against them in peaceful and legal ways in a bid to provide a safer environment for the free press in Iraq.

The Journalistic Freedom Observatory (JFO), one of the most prominent organizations working to defend press freedom in Iraq, announced Aug. 22 that it prepared a "blacklist of Iraqi politicians, government officials and parliamentarians who assault or attack journalists themselves or via their security teams."

This is a first-of-its-kind move by the local Iraqi organization, which has worked for 16 years to defend the rights of journalists through media pressure on authorities as well as armed and religious groups who assault Iraqi journalists.

JFO head Ziad al-Ojeili told Al-Monitor, “After a discussion with a group of journalists, we decided that statements of condemnation of censure are not enough to deter officials who are being scornful in dealing with journalists and media in Iraq. A blacklist of the names of some influential figures could be the solution we need to stop aggression against journalists.”