Islamic State issues media guide for journalists

The Islamist group believes journalists are subjects of the state, must pledge allegiance to the Caliph.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Islamic State flags flutter on the Mullah Abdullah bridge in southern Kirkuk, Iraq, on Monday. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Islamic State flags flutter on the Mullah Abdullah bridge in southern Kirkuk, Iraq, on Monday.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Islamic State, known for its crucifixions, mass murder and graphic beheadings, issued a strict media guide for journalists covering the volatile Deir ez-Zor area in Syria.
The highly-contested, northeastern province has largely fallen to the hands of the ever-expanding jihadist organization, prompting ISIS to publish a set of rules to guide journalists about the 'do's and don'ts' of working as a correspondent under a self-proclaimed caliphate.
A far cry from the free press protected by the US constitution's First Amendment, this rulebook, for starters, prohibits journalists from sharing content with their various publications and networks, without first going through their version of a Government Press Office.
The Islamist group believes journalists are subjects of the state and hence, must pledge their allegiance only to the Caliph - Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
While war correspondents have permission to work with international wire services, the likes of Reuters and AFP, the same does not apply to satellite TV stations, namely those on the Islamic State blacklist (Al Jazeera is on that list).
Any journalist who violates these regulations jeopardizes his ability to work in Deir ez-Zor and will be held accountable, ISIS admonishes.
The 11 rules are not set in stone, however, and could change at any given time due to journalists' behavior and the developing situation on the ground.