Aswat al-Iraq is an independent Iraqi news agency that reports on Iraqi affairs in an objective, vocational and balanced manner. Aswat al-Iraq covers news of political, economic, cultural, sports and security issues, as well as the changes in Iraqi civil society and personal feature stories.

The agency was established as the first independent agency in the history of Iraq, with the participation of an Iraqi network of correspondents, in addition to three Iraqi journals, and with the assistance and financing of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and administrative and technical training by Reuters Foundation.

The Arabic wiring of Aswat al-Iraq started on 21 November, 2004. In addition to the Arabic service, the agency offers news through its Kurdish and English services, as well as photo and voice services on its site www.aswataliraq.info. Future plans include adding a video service to the news agency.

Aswat al-Iraq received the services of the Reuters Foundation for three and a half years, at which point it had completed it is editing and administrative skeletons in 2008. The United Nations continued its support through the UNDP and the UNESCO through 2010.

In order to continue the work of Aswat al-Iraq and to preserve its independence, in 2009 the agency moved to subscription based services, after providing free services to local, Arab, and international media for over four and a half years.

Aswat al-Iraq strives to be where the news is happening, and present the news in a quick and accurate manner, defined by objectivity and trustworthiness.

The agency will try to behold the truth, transmitting in both words and photos the Iraqi opinion and the opposite for all political, religious, and social components.

Its professional cadre are scattered throughout Iraqi provinces and cities. They complete their tasks according to the principles of independent journalism under the agency's charter of honor which coincides with these principles and criteria.

Since 2009, a number of Iraqi, Arab and international media organizations, in visual-audio-printed sectors, have subscribed to the agency, in addition to ministries, governmental institutions, diplomatic corps and companies.

It has cooperation agreements with a number of media organs and international news agencies.

Aswat al-Iraq will continue to open and forge new channels with Iraqi press and media organs, irrespective of their inclinations, to create an atmosphere for free press and the work of journalists in the country.

The agency will try to consolidate the positive openness with Arab and foreign media, as well as with the civil society organizations which are strategic allies.

Aswat al-Iraq is aiming to be a training center for young Iraq journalists to further their education, in addition to training the agency's cadre to enhance their already proven skills.

The agency is administered by an Iraq board; overseen by its Editor-in-Chief Hussein Mohammed Ajeel.

We open our doors wide to every promising journalist, and welcome criticism as a means for further development and improvement.