Ina

The Iraqi News Agency (INA) stands as the first news agency established in Iraq and the second to launch in the region, following the Egyptian Middle East News Agency. Founded during the era of former President Abdul Karim Qasim in March 1959, INA was conceived as an official news outlet with contributions from notable Iraqi journalists such as Mohsen Hussein, Hamid Rashid, and Ahmed Qattan.

The agency's legal framework was cemented with the promulgation of Law No. 158 in 1959. Following its publication in the official gazette on October 6, that same year, INA released its inaugural printed news bulletin on November 9, 1959.

Prior to this milestone, in early March 1959, two journalists from Al-Bilad newspaper, Mohsen Hussein and Hamid Rashid, were summoned by the then Radio Director, Salim Al-Fakhri. During this meeting, they were informed of the government's decision to establish an official news agency modeled after the Egyptian Middle East News Agency. They were chosen to create the foundation for this agency, which would initially operate under the radio station until all legal formalities were completed.

INA's operations commenced from an office located to the right of the radio station's entrance in Salhiya, central Baghdad. Initially dubbed the "Correspondence Office," the agency began its work by conducting daily rounds to various ministries and organizations to gather news. The collected information was then returned to the radio station by noon for editing and printing, with copies distributed to local newspapers for publication the following day. The office routinely received statements from ministries and official declarations from ministers to include in its bulletins, alongside press releases from the Cabinet and interviews with senior officials. This Correspondence Office published regular updates for approximately nine months.

On October 6, 1959, following the publication of the agency’s law and regulations in the official gazette, Ahmed Qattan was appointed as the first Director General of the Iraqi News Agency (INA). Additionally, Dr. Faisal Al-Samarai, Minister of Information, played a significant role in establishing the agency and ensuring its legal framework was put into effect.