SCHAKOWSKY: BUSH ADMINISTRATIONS MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY FREEDOM OF SPEECH

November 19, 2003
Press Release

NOVEMBER 19, 2003

SCHAKOWSKY: BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S MISSTATEMENT OF THE DAY -
FREEDOM OF SPEECH

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued today's "Bush Administration's Misstatement of the Day" on freedom of speech in Iraq.

In a speech in London at Banqueting House, President Bush stated:

"The tradition of free speech exercised with enthusiasm is alive and well here in London. We have that at home too. They now have that right in Baghdad as well." (President Bush, 11/19/03)
However, according to a report in the American Prospect:
"As criticism of his authority appeared in Iraqi media, occupying authority chief L. Paul Bremer III placed controls on Iraqi Media Network content and clamped down on the independent media in Iraq, closing down some Iraqi-run newspapers and radio and television stations." (American Prospect, Exporting Censorship to Iraq -- The press system we allow the Iraqis is far from free 10/1/03)