Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Kurdistan Region President’s statement on the 123rd anniversary of Kurdish Journalism Day

2021-04-22T06:03:25.000000Z
Courtesy Statements
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, April 22, 2021

On the occasion of 123rd anniversary of Kurdish Journalism Day and the 23rd anniversary of the founding of Kurdistan Journalists’ Syndicate, I extend my congratulations to all journalists and Kurdistan Journalists’ Syndicate and wish them success. We express our full support for the journalists and reiterate our firm belief in free media and freedom of expression as the main pillars of any free and democratic society.

It is essential that journalists are protected in their profession and enjoy unrestrained access to sources of information, which will enable them to effectively contribute to the formation of public opinion and to monitor public institutions.

We truly expect that journalists conform to their professional and ethical standards and responsibilities. We hope that the media and journalists remain a reliable source of information and knowledge while they also seek to preserve peace and stability of society and promote the highest national interests. In case of a legal suit, journalists should have their cases determined in accordance with the existing press laws in the Kurdistan Region.

We applaud the important contributions of the national and international groups in their monitoring role of the free media and freedom of expression in the Kurdistan Region. Their reports contribute to the preservation of hard won freedoms in Kurdistan.

On this occasion, I express my deep concern over the irresponsible media in general and social media in particular, which continue to harm the social fabric of Kurdistan and exacerbate political divisions.

We welcome the Kurdistan Region Parliament’s decision to recognize April 22 as the Kurdish Journalists Day. On this day, we honour the memory of the renowned literary figure, Miqdad Medhat Baderkhan and all the fallen journalists who sacrificed their lives in pursuit of truth and a free press in Kurdistan.

Nechirvan Barzani
Kurdistan Region President