Metro says the government agency is not responsible for determining which incidents have news value or cause the media to restrict the truth of the events or hide information on the murder rate in society for any reason.

The murders have attracted everyone's attention, causing widespread debate. Instead of talking about the best ways to cover crime that respect the ethics, rules and charters of the profession, talk came about restrictions.

On March 26th, the Sulaimani Prosecutor's Office sent a letter to the Sulaimani Directorate of Culture, saying that "interviews with the relatives of the accused should not be conducted” contrary to the text of Article (236) paragraph (1) of the Iraqi Penal Code No. 111 of 1969, as amended, is applicable in the Kurdistan Region. "Any case that falls into the category of violation of laws and regulations by the Public Rights Board of the Prosecutor General's Office will take legal action against them," it said.

It called on all media outlets to refrain from covering such news and observe the laws and guidelines, if they do not comply, legal action will be taken.

Metro does not agree with the media going into details of crimes that affect the course of investigations or the way the coverage incites violence or negatively affects the victim's family life, or violates the privacy of the victim, or judge instead of the courts.

Metro says the government agency is not responsible for determining which incidents have news value, or for preventing the media from getting the truth about the incidents or hiding information about the murder rate in society for whatever reason.

We understand that in the issue of crime coverage, some media outlets have deviated from the professional standards, ethics and rules of conduct of the profession, but this should not be a reason for the guidance of an official body to replace the law.