Kurdish Journalism Day marked on 128th anniversary of first newspaper

İçeriğe Atla

Speaking on behalf of both associations at the event, MKG Chairperson Roza Metina said that Kurdish journalism today is under detention, arrest, judicial pressure, censorship, access bans, economic siege, and digital attacks.

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Metina commemorated all journalists who lost their lives for press freedom and noted their solidarity with colleagues held in prisons, facing trial, threatened, forced into exile, or prevented from working.

‘Kurdish press is essential for Kurdish people’

Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan also spoke at the event.

“There was exile 128 years ago, and today there is pressure and siege. There is pressure on the entire press, but this pressure is even greater on the Kurdish press,” Doğan said.

Recounting her recent visit to imprisoned journalist Nedim Oruç, a reporter for Ajansa Welat, Doğan said, “Nedim was also arrested for political rather than legal reasons. He was practicing journalism during the attacks on Eşrefîyê and Şêxmeqsûd and was arrested. He was arrested unjustly, and his hearing is soon.

“I am making a call from here and asking for the release of all journalists arrested due to journalism. Nedim sent his greetings. He said he misses practicing his profession, his friends, and his daughter. We must grow this solidarity. I once again celebrate Kurdish Journalists Day. May this be an occasion for the alliance, peace, and freedom of the Kurdish press, the Kurdish people, and those living with Kurds.”

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DEM Party Deputy Co-Chair Tayip Temel also called for the release of imprisoned journalists in a written statement to mark the day.

“Kurdish journalism has maintained its existence against pressure, censorship, and bans throughout history, having to pay great prices,” the statement read. “The Kurdish press, prevented from making its voice heard in its own lands, has struggled to exist all over the world from Cairo to Geneva, London to İstanbul. Kurdish Journalism Day, celebrated since 1973, has insisted on walking in the footsteps of truth and stubbornly continued the free press tradition on the path opened by Mîqdat Mîdhed Bedirxan despite continuous attacks, obstacles, destruction and assimilation policies, and massacres.

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“Today, the journalism profession is still under heavy threats. The presence of our colleagues who are tried and arrested for their reports, and whose pens are sought to be broken, is the biggest obstacle before Peace and Democratic Society. On this occasion, we reiterate that journalism activities are not a crime and that journalists in prisons should be released immediately.”

He commemorated Musa Anter, Gurbetelli Ersöz, Nagihan Akarsel, Cihan Bilgin, and Nazım Daştan, along with all killed Kurdish journalists. (HA/VK)