Tony Blair presses Iraq over press freedom

November 26, 2009

Tony Blair pressed Iraqi leaders Thursday to uphold media freedoms which Britain "fought for," after a British newspaper's correspondent was fined for reporting criticism of Iraq's prime minister. The former British premier, who controversially backed the US-led 2003 invasion to oust Saddam Hussein, told the Guardian newspaper that he was following the case involving its Baghdad correspondent. "We fought for freedom in Iraq including freedom of the press. Often what the press says is harsh or unfair," he said in an emailed statement. "But that freedom is essential and must be upheld. So while I may not always agree with what the Guardian write I do hope that when the case goes to appeal the courts will follow due process in accordance with the Iraqi constitution."