Ten years after the invasion, is Iraq's experiment in democracy under threat?

(20 Mar 2013) Baghdad - 10 March 2013 1. Rap artists (Noor Edin and Humam Asaad) recording song about what's gone wrong in Iraq 2. Various of rappers performance with lyrics criticising Iraq 3. Sound engineer with audio monitor recording rap song 4. Various of rappers' performance with lyrics criticising Iraq 5. Sound engineer with audio monitor recording rap song 6. SOUNDBITE (English): Noor Edin, Rap artist: "We just take subjects from the streets and turn it into music - about the lyrics, about the music, about the way, about the style, how you sing. We just take subjects that we live every day." Baghdad - 15 March, 2013 7. Scores of vehicles clogging one of Baghdad's main streets 8. Crowded market area of Baghdad 9. Wide of students walking past entrance to University of Baghdad 10. Close up of arch inscribed with letters spelling (Arabic/English) "University of Baghdad" 11. Various of students in university coffee bar 12. Student Sabrin Majeed buying refreshments from coffee bar 13. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Sabrin Majeed, Student: "I can criticise the government as much as I want, but even if I do, they won't take the slightest notice. Generally speaking, in this country, no one listens to you." 14. Various of posters promoting rival candidates for provincial elections 15. Various of Monument to the Unknown Soldier 16. Various of crossed-sword archway built by Saddam Hussein Baghdad - 27 February, 2013 17. Wide of Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, seated ahead of interview 18. Cutaway of Iraqi flag 19. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Nouri al-Maliki, Iraqi Prime Minister: "I can say with full confidence that our country is heading towards a real and promising democracy, despite the difficulties facing it." Baghdad - 15 March, 2013 20. Various of teardrop-shaped Martyr Monument in Baghdad 21. Wide of al-Baghdadiya TV studio with talk show taking place 22. Programme host Imad al-Ebabi seen on screen 23. Various of host and guests arguing in studio 24. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Imad al-Ebabi, TV talk show host: "The result of the invasion was that we gained democracy, a free press, and freedom of expression. That was the price of the invasion that took place in my country. But now we're facing a lot of harassment. There's no denying it, all the media is under pressure because of certain dictatorial actions." 25. Various of sunshine reflecting from surface of the Martyr Memorial STORYLINE: It's ten years since the United States invaded Iraq and deposed Saddam Hussein, but a decade after the dictator's fall, questions are being asked about the Iraqi government's commitment to democracy. Critics charge that the country's prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, is showing signs of behaving like a dictator himself - although he denies this. There's no doubt that Iraqis today are generally free to say what they want, a liberty reflected in the work of rap artists Noor Edin and Humam Asaad. They've come to their studio to record a song about Iraq and everything that's wrong with it. "Baghdad is dirty, let's make it clean," the lyrics say, in what can be taken as an allusion to the government's widespread reputation for corruption. Noor Edin insists that his work is foremost a matter of music rather than politics, but makes clear that his inspiration comes from the everyday trials and tribulations of the Iraqi people. "We just take subjects from the streets and turn it into music," he says. Freedom of speech didn't exist under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, and many Iraqis are still enjoying the novelty of being able to speak out without fear of reprisal. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...