Syrian Kurdish media watchdogs condemn closure of K24 office in Rojava

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Two prominent media watchdogs in northeast Syria (Rojava) condemned the decision of the Kurdish-led autonomous administration to close Kurdistan 24’s news bureau in the area.

The Kurdish Syrian Journalists Network and Kurdistan Journalists’ Syndicate – Syria condemned the move and called on the Rojava authorities to reverse their decision.

Security forces belonging to the Democratic Union Party (PYD) forcibly shut down the Kurdistan 24 regional office in the city of Qamishlo on Sunday.

In two separate statements on Monday, the Syrian Kurdish media watchdogs hailed the Kurdistan 24’s impartial and professional coverage in Rojava, particularly during conflicts.

The Kurdish Syrian Journalists Network noted that local authorities did not provide any legal justification for the closure of the channel and called it a complete violation of freedom of the press and the values the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria claims to uphold.

The Kurdish Network further condemned the recent detention of journalist Kamiran Sadoun, a member of the organization, who was recently arrested and later freed by local authorities.

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“There is information that [Sadoun] faced torture and abuse as well as faced with trumped up charges,” the Network wrote.

Earlier on Monday, Metro Center for Journalists Rights and Advocacy called the decision to shut Kurdistan 24’s office a violation of freedom of the press.

Kurdistan 24 has condemned the closure of its bureau, saying in a statement Sunday that it was a blatant violation of media freedom and a worrisome sign of the Rojava authorities' disregard for press freedom.

Kurdistan 24’s office in Rojava was previously temporarily closed by the administration in September 2019.