US CG Palladino visits Kurdistan 24 and discusses media in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – US Consul General to Erbil Robert Palladino and the consulate’s Public Affairs Officer Gina Cabrera visited the headquarters of Kurdistan 24 on Monday. 

In a meeting, Kurdistan 24 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mohammed Karim briefed Palladino and his accompanying delegation on the journalistic methods used at Kurdistan 24, media freedom, and the common problems journalists face in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region. 

Palladino said he was happy to see the strong relationship that Kurdistan 24 has with the US Consulate General in Erbil and with the US government in general.

Palladino said that his team at the consulate told him about Kurdistan 24 and its influential role. 

“Through Kurdistan 24 reporter Laurie Mylroie I learned more about Kurdistan Region, and her questions made me collect more information about the region,” said Palladino.

“CG Palladino visited the HQ of Kurdistan 24 in Erbil and met with its leadership to learn more about K24, the media landscape in IKR (Iraqi Kurdistan Region), and the challenges faced by media outlets and journalists,” the US Consulate General Erbil tweeted. “The United States is committed to supporting freedom of expression and press.” 

CG Palladino visited the HQ of @kurdistan24tv in Erbil and met with its leadership to learn more about K24, media landscape in IKR, and the challenges faced by #media outlets and #journalists. The #United_States is committed to supporting freedom of expression and #press. pic.twitter.com/2Aff8HcqRz

— U.S. Consulate General Erbil (@USConGenErbil) March 2, 2022

During his visit, Palladino and his accompanying delegation visited Kurdistan 24’s different departments and studios and spoke with several journalists and department heads.

Kurdistan 24 was founded on Oct. 31, 2015, in Erbil. The news agency includes a satellite TV, radio station, and a digital portal news outlet in five different languages. It has a vast network of correspondents and bureaus throughout the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and most of the world’s influential capital cities. 

Palladino assumed charge of US Consulate General Erbil in July 2021. A career diplomat, Robert has worked on key foreign policy and national security challenges across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Robert most recently served as chief of staff to the Deputy Secretary of State, the Department of State deputy spokesperson, director of strategic communications, and acting National Security Council spokesperson.