US media group urges Iraq not to hinder reporters

NEW YORK, May 22 (Reuters) A leading US media watchdog has urged Iraq's government to lift restrictions on reporters' access to the scene of bombings, saying the move appeared to be an attempt to limit press coverage of unwelcome news.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said in an open letter to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that it was deeply concerned about a May 13 government announcement that journalists would be barred from the scenes of bomb attacks for one hour. It said reasons given for the move were to safeguard evidence and protect reporters from secondary attacks.

''We are further alarmed by the enforcement methods employed by Iraqi police last Tuesday, when officers turned away journalists by firing shots in the air,'' said the letter, made available to media on Monday evening.

''While we recognize security concerns at scenes of violence, the Interior Ministry's ban appears to be an attempt to limit press coverage of unwelcome news,'' the letter said.

''Journalists, not governments, should determine whether a story is too dangerous to cover,'' it said.

''We call on you to reverse the May 13 ban, to instruct officers not to use their firearms to enforce press rules, and to allow the press to carry out its reporting without hindrance from your government.'' Reuters NC GC2120