President Barzani urges Kurdish media to support independence referendum

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Friday marked the day of Kurdish journalism, as the President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani praised the role of the Kurdish media in delivering the message of the people of Kurdistan to the world.

President Barzani marked the 119^th anniversary of the first Kurdish newspaper and the 19^th anniversary of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate establishment, congratulating journalists in the Kurdistan Region.

He mentioned Kurdish journalism had become an important podium for Kurdish rights and delivering the message of Kurdistan’s people to the world.

The first Kurdish newspaper, named Kurdistan, was first published on April 22, 1898, in Cairo, Egypt by Mikdad Midhad Badirkhan.

President Barzani stated Kurdish journalists had played a significant role in the fight against the Islamic State (IS).

Additionally, he pointed to the sacrifices made by reporters covering the successes of Peshmerga while the forces battled the insurgent group.

Moreover, the President reiterated support for the rights of all journalists.

In another part of President Barzani’s statement, he called on the journalists in Kurdistan to promote the process of the Kurdish independence referendum.

“Independence belongs to all of Kurdistan,” he affirmed. “It is a process for developing Kurdistan and bringing stability to the region.”

The Kurdish referendum has become one of the hot topics among the Kurdish leadership and political parties in recent years.

According to Kurdish officials, the referendum will be held in 2017, but the date has yet to be determined.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany