The people of Iraq for many years were allowed access only to information chosen by the media controlled by Saddam Hussein.
After the fall of the regime, the restrictions on media were lifted and suddenly many new outlets were available to the ordinary citizen.
So media plurality was achieved, but this alone was not sufficient, as parts of the media became more and more partisan, biased and iciteful.
Under a UNESCO-managed initiative, which is funded by the EC, the BBC World Service Trust has been working with the Iraqi broadcast media to come together to agree a set of professional values for a more responsible media that adopts accuracy, fairness and impartiality as key values in all news programmes, even on channels that represent political or religious interest groups.
This transition will not take place overnight, but with continued support and advocacy by both Iraqi and international bodies, the Iraqi media could become an important example for media deregulation post-conflict.
Code of Professional Conduct
A voluntary Code of Professional Conduct has now been drafted and accepted by 28 participating Iraqi broadcasters.
The BBC World Service Trust continues to support this transition by providing training materials and an online discussion forum for journalists.
Through the BBC World Service Trust's partners, Albany Associates and Irex Europe, support is also provided to the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the media in Iraq. These, as well as the voluntary adoption of professional conduct, will help ensure that Iraq develops media that holds officials to account and empower people.
Radio Al-Mirbad
Another element of the World Service Trust's intervention in the Iraqi media development scene is its support for Radio Al-Mirbad.
This radio station was set up in the southern provinces of Iraq and aims to develop independent media by holding officials to account.
Al-Mirbad is now part of daily life and is one of very few outlets for people to seek information and accountability from their local government.
Three years on, Al-Mirbad offers a strong service to the community through daily news and information and community-participation programming.
More on Al-Mirbad.