Rights groups call for reform of Iraq media regulations

Today, Iraq's prime minister, Nuri Al Maliki accused neighboring countries of meddling in his nation's democratic process. The outcome from the country's March election is still contested. Over the weekend, Al Maliki's State of Law coalition announced that it had evidence of fraud. It trails former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's Iraqiya alliance by just two seats. Iraqiya has also alleged voting irregularities. The outcome of the election continues to be a battle over public perception, shaped in part by a struggling local media. Before the election, the government's Communication and Media Commission began enforcing strict regulations on journalists. Today, Human Rights Watch sent a letter to the commission. The group said that the regulations fall short of international standards of freedom of expression and called them a threat to the safety of media workers.

Joe Stork is the Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch. And he joins us by mobile phone from Cairo.