Iraqi Media Network Launches Extensive Media Coverage Plan for Upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad
Iraqi Media Network -IMN announced its comprehensive coverage plan for the upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad, adding that it has been on full alert for 20 days ahead of the event as part of preparations to deliver high-quality reporting that reflects the significance of the regional event.
The summit and its outcomes will be accessible to IMN audiences before, during, and after the event. The network called this a national responsibility, taking on every detail to ensure it covers the event thoroughly, while providing professional journalism that respects freedom of the press.
Kareem Hammadi, President of the Iraqi Media Network, stated that IMN, across all its television, print, and radio divisions, has completed its plans for covering the Arab Summit. He added that the network has been on full alert for 20 days before the event and has developed a well-structured media plan to match the significance of the summit and its impact on Iraq's central role in the region.
Hammadi explained that the coverage of the summit will be unique, with the network offering diverse and engaging content using the latest technologies from various locations in Baghdad, the provinces, and several participating countries. Additionally, IMN will provide comprehensive media services to local, Arab, and international media outlets.
IMN president noted that the evaluation of media performance during the summit coverage will follow institutional processes and precise scientific methodologies to ensure the professionalism and effectiveness of the work. He explained that the evaluation will not be based on personal impressions or opinions, but on specific indicators and criteria, relying on organized surveys to assess the performance of the network's television, radio, and print outlets, particularly in covering major events.
Hammadi affirmed that IMN is committed to establishing itself as an independent and professional national platform, one that embodies the voice of the Iraqi people and promotes national unity values through contemporary, free, and multi-platform media content.
He added that the IMN, with its television, radio channels, and both print and digital newspapers, addresses various segments of Iraqi society, adopting a national discourse that reflects the country's cultural and social diversity without any sectarian, ethnic, or regional discrimination. He also emphasized the importance of combating media misinformation through precise and transparent coverage, grounded in high standards of credibility and professionalism.
For his part, Thaer Al-Ghanimi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Iraqi Media Network, stated that the Arab Summit in Baghdad represents a highly significant political event, particularly given the current sensitive regional circumstances. He noted that this step reflects Iraq's stability and security, sending a clear message to the world about Iraq's pivotal role in its Arab surroundings.
Al-Ghanimi further explained that the Board of Trustees, as a regulatory and legislative body, is closely monitoring the efforts of the Iraqi Media Network in preparing for the summit's coverage, activating media resources, and providing the necessary legislative frameworks. He also emphasized the importance of urging staff to intensify their efforts to meet the scale of the event, including participation in meetings related to the media coverage.
He pointed out that the Iraqi Media Network plays a central role in covering the Arab Summit and carries a significant responsibility in broadcasting its activities, a responsibility the Arab audience has come to expect due to IMN distinguished professional performance in covering major national and international events.
Al-Ghanimi explained that the network has extensive experience and a wealth of expertise in news coverage, making it well-equipped to handle this task with a high level of credibility and accuracy.
Jaafar Al-Aidi, Director of Al-Iraqia News Channel, said preparations for the Arab Summit in Baghdad began immediately after the summit's date was confirmed. He highlighted that the Iraqi Media Network, led by IMN President Kareem Hammadi, held several high-level meetings to ensure successful coverage.
Al-Aidi emphasized that the summit represents an unprecedented political and developmental event for Iraq, noting that it will be exceptional due to extensive preparations. He added that a new media plan will include special programs starting with the Arab foreign ministers' meeting.
Al-Iraqia News Channel will provide 16 hours of live coverage, with teams stationed at key locations, including the summit venue and Baghdad International Airport. Al-Aidi pointed out that the network has previously led major political coverage, such as Pope Francis' 2021 visit.
Sattar Al-Ardawi, Director of the Iraqi News Agency (INA), emphasized that the agency's coverage of significant events, such as the Arab Summit, is driven by meticulously crafted plans and preparations that align with the event's importance. He highlighted that the Arab Summit stands as a pivotal event reflecting Iraq's strategic political direction, with preparations having been in progress for over two months under the leadership of the Iraqi Media Network.
Al-Ardawi explained that INA's plan includes forming a team of four editors and reporters to manage news related to the summit, as well as overseeing the official summit website. The plan prioritizes summit-related news, creating special reports on various aspects of the event, while directing reporters to focus on key statements and track media appearances on the network's platforms.
He added that all technical and editorial staff have been mobilized, with full-time shifts during the summit, and teams of reporters and photographers deployed at the summit venue and other meeting locations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
23 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq after the Global Coalition: Between sovereignty and strategic risk
Shafaq News The US-led Global Coalition's withdrawal from Iraq has officially begun, with troops departing from Ain al-Assad airbase in western al-Anbar. Ain al-Assad, Iraq's second-largest air installation, has long hosted both Iraqi and coalition forces under Iraq's al-Jazeera and al-Badiya Operations Command. Its evacuation marks the first visible step in a two-stage drawdown, which will continue through September 2026. The plan envisages phased departures from Baghdad, followed by the retention of fewer than 500 US personnel in Erbil before their redeployment to Kuwait. For Baghdad, the process represents a symbolic end to more than two decades of foreign troop deployments. Yet it also exposes the delicate balance between consolidating sovereignty and confronting security gaps that remain unresolved. A Political Achievement in the Government's Eyes Spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Naaman, described the withdrawal as 'one of the government's most significant achievements.' He credited 'intensive political efforts and the Prime Minister's determination' alongside tangible improvements in Iraq's security apparatus — from modernizing its arsenal to enhancing intelligence capabilities. In his view, the departure reflects confidence that Iraqi forces can now independently secure the country and prevent the resurgence of terrorism. 'The growing capabilities of our security forces, along with the government's ongoing efforts to develop the military and security system with the latest weaponry and technical technologies, in addition to enhancing the efficiency of the intelligence services, are all factors that enable Iraq to fully take control of the security file and deter any threat to the country's security,' he told Shafaq News. Legal Framework and Political Reassurances Echoing the government's message, lawmaker Imran al-Karkoushi, of the Iran-backed State of Law Coalition, insisted the redeployment 'stems from bilateral security agreements and is not a result of external pressure or regional tensions.' He pointed to the 2008 US–Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) as the 'legal basis guiding the move.' Unlike earlier troop-specific arrangements, the SFA lays out the broader partnership between Baghdad and Washington, covering security cooperation, economic development, cultural exchange, and respect for Iraqi sovereignty. By grounding the withdrawal in this framework, al-Karkoushi sought to counter arguments that the decision is linked to US–Iran tensions or regional escalations. Instead, 'it is a contractual step within Iraq's sovereign right to shape its foreign partnerships.' Parliamentary Skepticism: Airspace and Air Defenses Other lawmakers voiced sharper concerns. Independent MP Haitham al-Zarkani criticized the Global Coalition for its 'failure' to protect Iraq's skies, citing repeated airspace violations and cross-border strikes carried out from Iraqi territory without coalition intervention. 'Iraqi airspace has been used to carry out attacks on neighboring countries without any response from the Coalition, and the United States has deliberately refrained from providing Iraq with advanced air defense systems, which makes its withdrawal or continued presence have no real effect,' he explained to Shafaq News. Warns of Premature Timing Security expert Ali al-Maamari warned that the decision to withdraw from Ain al-Assad and the Victoria base near Baghdad airport was based on assessments of readiness that he considers premature. While Iraqi forces have accumulated significant combat experience on the ground, he argued that they still lack 'effective air defense systems and advanced radar technologies capable of intercepting missiles and hostile aircraft.' From Domestic to Regional Threats Security analyst Adnan al-Kinani stressed that Iraq's security challenges no longer stem primarily from ISIS. 'ISIS as an organization is largely dismantled, but external threats — such as potential Turkish incursions or engineered Iraq–Syria tensions — now pose the real danger,' he told Shafaq News. He also cautioned that Iraq risks becoming a theater for broader rivalries: 'The United States and Israel may attempt to use Iraqi territory as a platform for pressuring or attacking Iran, which poses a strategic risk to national sovereignty.' For al-Kinani, the coalition's departure does not eliminate risk but shifts it outward — to borders, neighbors, and the regional balance of power. Intelligence Gaps and Regional Competition Security expert Saif Raad emphasized another vulnerability: the coalition's departure leaves Iraq at risk of losing advanced intelligence support, including satellite imagery and aerial reconnaissance. 'This comes at a time of ongoing unrest in Syria and renewed ISIS activity in al-Hol camp,' he said, referring to the sprawling detention site in northeast Syria that continues to harbor thousands of ISIS-linked individuals. Raad also noted that Iran appears poised to fill part of the vacuum. A recent Baghdad–Tehran security agreement, signed as the US exit timetable was being finalized, signals Tehran's intent to expand its role in training and intelligence. For Iraq, this creates a dilemma: trading one external dependency for another risks limiting its freedom of maneuver in the long run. Between Sovereignty and Exposure The debate reflects two competing lenses. For the government and its allies, the withdrawal is a sign of sovereign maturity, anchored in international agreements and political determination. For skeptical lawmakers and experts, the risks lie in capability gaps and the shifting nature of threats — from insurgency to regional power competition. As the countdown to September 2026 accelerates, the central question remains: can Iraq protect its fragile security gains while resisting entanglement in wider regional conflicts?
Shafaq News
11 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan delegation heads to Baghdad for salary talks
Shafaq News – Erbil A delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is set to travel to Baghdad to discuss the disbursement of June salaries for public employees in the Region, a government source said on Monday. The source told Shafaq News the delegation includes Omid Sabah, chief of staff to the KRG Council of Ministers, council secretary Amanj Rahim, and eight director generals. The delegation is scheduled to begin meetings tomorrow with Iraqi counterparts to address salary payment mechanisms and financial coordination.
Shafaq News
16 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi officers protest over delayed housing land
Shafaq News – Baghdad Army officers in Baghdad staged a protest on Monday to demand long-promised housing plots, accusing the Officers' Housing Association of corruption and diverting land to investors. The demonstrators — a mix of retired and serving officers — gathered outside the association's headquarters, saying they have been paying monthly fees for four decades without receiving allocations. They estimate total contributions have exceeded 50B dinars ($38.2B). Protesters allege the association's leadership has stalled their demands while authorizing investment projects on land originally intended for members. Their complaints come as Iraqi authorities expand probes into real estate corruption. Earlier this month, the Integrity Commission in Mosul uncovered fraudulent sales of more than 4,000 plots worth an estimated 48B dinars ($38B), resulting in several arrests. Iraq continues to rank near the bottom of Transparency International's global corruption index, with property mismanagement among its most persistent problems.
