The National Union of Journalists in Iraq (Nuji) condemned the assassination of the director of a private satellite channel yesterday, demanding the killers are found and brought to justice.

Al-Rashid satellite channel director Nizar Dhanoun was shot dead as gunmen targeted him in the al-Jamaa district, west of Baghdad.

The channel stopped broadcasting soon after the popular anti-government protests began in October last year amid threats made regarding its coverage.

Iraq remains in political turmoil, with protesters continuing to demand real political change and an end to corruption. 

They have rejected the appointment of new Prime Minister Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, who they see as part of the elite they are trying to overthrow.

More than 600 are believed to have been killed as the country is plagued by armed militias linked to various political and religious factions. 

Journalists are often targeted, with Dijlah TV reporter Ahmed Abdul Samad and camera operator Safaa Ghali shot dead in Basra last month.

Nuji called on the Ministry of the Interior to “uncover the perpetrators of the assassination” and to ensure that freedom of opinion and expression is upheld as guaranteed in the Iraqi constitution.