More press freedom in Kurdistan than neighbouring countries
Journalists should play the role of increasing social awareness, peaceful co-existence in the Kurdistan Region, said President Barzani on Friday.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – April 22 is the anniversary of the first Kurdish newspaper that was printed in Cairo, Egypt in 1898, by Miqdad Medhat Bedirkhan. The newspaper was printed at the time when Cairo was still part of the greater Ottoman Empire. The paper launched a new era of Kurdish struggle for political and cultural freedom.
April 22 is also the 18th establishment anniversary of Kurdistan Journalist’s Syndicate.
On Friday, President of the Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, released a statement, marking the 118th anniversary of the first Kurdish newspaper and congratulating the journalists of the Kurdistan Region for establishing the Syndicate.
“For a nation that is still in the stage of defending and protecting its identity, the first duty of journalists is to increase social awareness, promote peaceful co-existence and loyalty to the homeland,” Barzani said.
As part of Kurdish resistance, journalists have stood with their nation against occupation and dictatorship in different stages of history, reads the statement.
Barzani highlighted the current situation in the Kurdistan Region and called on Kurdish journalists to defend Kurdistan and its people by their writings as the Region is passing through a very sensitive phase.
He also asked journalists to defend Kurdish spirit and strength that have been part of our history and not let enemies spread disappointing messages to negatively affect the morale of the people of Kurdistan.
Additionally, Barzani shed light on the role of Kurdish Peshmerga forces that are heroically fighting on the frontlines against the extremists and defending the Kurdistan Region. He stated that “terrorists” are taking advantage of technology and media to launch a psychological war against Peshmerga and people of Kurdistan.
Barzani said he hopes journalists will play an influential role hand in hand with Peshmerga forces by fighting terror and extremist ideologies.
Moreover, President Barzani emphasized that fortunately in the last years, press freedom and journalism have largely developed in the Kurdistan Region compared to the neighboring countries.
Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Ava Homa
The front page of the first Kurdish newspaper printed in Cairo, Egypt in 1898.
