The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) and the Mezopotamya Women Journalists Association (MKG) met with journalists at a breakfast event held in a café in Amed’s Sur district to mark 22 April Kurdish Journalists’ Day.

 

Speaking on behalf of both organisations, MKG co-chair Roza Metina said: “Kurdish journalism emerged on the historical stage with the publication of the newspaper ‘Kurdistan’ by Miktad Midhat Bedirhan on 22 April 1898.”

 

WHY ARE KURDISH JOURNALISTS TARGETED?

 

Roza Metina said Kurdish journalism faces detention, arrest, judicial pressure, censorship, access restrictions, economic pressure and digital attacks. 

She added: “Recent reports by international and local press freedom organisations show that digital censorship against journalists and media outlets has deepened, practices undermining the right to a fair trial in press cases continue, and media outside the government line are systematically pressured. This situation is not coincidental. Pressure on Kurdish journalism is part of a policy to silence the truth and keep society in the dark.”

 

‘WE ARE THE BEARERS OF A 128-YEAR LEGACY’

 

Roza Metina said: “As MKG and DFG, we once again emphasise that we are the bearers of the 128-year legacy of Kurdish journalism, the Free Press tradition and women’s struggle for truth. We commemorate with respect all journalists who lost their lives for press freedom, and express our solidarity with all colleagues who are imprisoned, on trial, threatened, forced into exile or prevented from working.

 

We also call on international press organisations, human rights groups and the democratic public: do not remain silent in the face of pressure on Kurdish journalism and Free Press workers. Take a clear stance against policies that seek to portray journalism as a crime. Writing the truth is not a crime. Defending the public’s right to information is one of the fundamental conditions of a democratic society. We will not step back in the face of pressure; we will continue to defend women’s voices, the truth of peoples and the Free Press tradition.”

 

‘ALLIANCE IS ALSO NECESSARY FOR THE KURDISH PRESS’

 

Ayşegül Doğan, spokesperson for the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, said Kurdish people need a Kurdish press wherever they are, adding that unity among Kurds is also essential for the Kurdish press. “There was exile 128 years ago and there is still pressure and encirclement today. There is pressure on all media, but it is particularly intense on the Kurdish press,” she said.

 

‘RELEASE NEDIM ORUÇ’

 

Ayşegül Doğan said she had visited Kurdish News Agenct Ajansa Welat (AW) reporter Nedim Oruç, who is held in Şırnak Prison. She said: “Nedim was also arrested for political, not legal, reasons. He was doing journalism during the period of the attacks on Eşrefiyê (Asrafiah) and Şêxmeqsûd (Sheikh Maqsoud) and was detained. He was unjustly arrested and has a hearing soon. I call from here for the release of all journalists detained for their work.”

 

Ayşegül Doğan added: “Nedim sends his greetings. He said he misses practising his profession, his colleagues and his daughter. We must strengthen this solidarity. Once again, I celebrate Kurdish Journalists’ Day. I hope it contributes to the unity, peace and freedom of the Kurdish press, the Kurdish people and those living alongside them.”