ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) issued a directive on Thursday prohibiting media outlets and social media platforms from publishing or broadcasting crime scene footage, details of suspects, or specific information regarding the timing and location of incidents. Officials state the measure is aimed at protecting ongoing investigations and maintaining social stability.

The directive, issued by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, has been circulated to all ministries and government institutions, according to the KRG’s Media and Information Department. The move came at the request of the Independent Human Rights Commission, which raised concerns that the dissemination of such material could compromise investigations, inflict further harm on victims’ families, and be exploited to incite political or social division.

“The directive was issued … to protect the course of investigations, the psychological and social aspects of people’s lives, and to prevent the exploitation of incidents for political and social division,” the department said in an official statement. It further emphasized that the ban seeks to uphold public safety, individual security, legal procedures, and fundamental human rights principles.

This decision highlights growing unease within the Region over the influence of media and social platforms on public perceptions of crime. Over the past year, graphic videos depicting violent incidents and arrests have frequently gone viral online, often triggering public outrage and controversy. Rights groups have consistently warned that releasing such footage prior to judicial proceedings not only undermines the presumption of innocence but also perpetuates stigma against the families and communities of suspects.

The KRG's policy aligns with similar restrictions implemented elsewhere in the region, where governments have tightened regulations on crime reporting to prevent sensationalism and shield judicial integrity. In Iraq, federal authorities have previously cracked down on the public broadcast of confessions and crime reenactments on state television following criticism from human rights organizations.