This week, the body responsible for the press and social networks notified the media
This week Iraq’s media regulator banned all media and social media outlets from using the term “homosexual” and instead use “sexual deviance” in reporting.
In addition to banning this term, the country’s Communications and Media Commission ordered the suspension of the term “gender” in any academic journalistic matter. The agency also prohibited telephone and internet companies from using the terms in any of their applications.
Despite the ban, the Commission stated that there is no penalty for those who do not comply with the new rule, but a fine may apply. In the statement, the “guides media organizations not to use the term ‘homosexuality’ and to use the correct term ‘sexual deviance'”.
While it does not explicitly criminalize homosexuality, the Iraq has a penal code with rules against the LGBTQIAP+ community in its lands, in which the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not recognized by the State.
Source: Maxima
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