Iraqi News Agency INA

Overview

The Iraqi News Agency (INA; Arabic: وكالة الأنباء العراقية) is Iraq's state-owned national news agency, headquartered in Baghdad. Founded in March 1959 under President Abdul Karim Qasim, INA is Iraq's first official news agency and the second oldest in the Arab world, after Egypt's Middle East News Agency (established 1955). It serves as the primary centralized source for collecting, editing, and distributing official news to Iraqi broadcasters, newspapers, and media outlets domestically and internationally.

History and Founding

INA was established in March 1959 during the early republican period following the 1958 revolution. It began operations as a liaison office at Baghdad's Al-Salihiya broadcasting station, conducting daily ministry visits to compile official statements and news. Law No. 158 of 1959 formally constituted the agency, published in the Official Gazette on 6 October 1959. The first printed news bulletin was issued on 9 November 1959. Ahmed Qattan was appointed as INA's first Director General. Between 1959 and 1963, the agency negotiated with Reuters over the shared abbreviation 'INA', ultimately securing exclusive use of the acronym in late 1963.

Historical Role and Archives

INA historically served as the principal news distribution channel for the Iraqi press. Under its founding legislation, private newspapers received INA dispatches free of charge, reducing their need for independent correspondents. The agency was closed following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and was subsequently revived, resuming active operations by 2017. INA maintains an archive of news content in Arabic and English accessible via its website. The Director General since 2023 has been Sattar Jiyad Al-Ardawi.

Access

INA publishes news continuously in Arabic and English on its website. Its archive is searchable online and represents a primary source for official Iraqi government communications, policy statements, and national events.