Events in Qamishlo and Garkê Legê on  occasion of Kurdish Journalism Day

As part of the 128th anniversary celebrations, seminars and cultural evenings were organized in both cities.

Qamishlo

On the occasion, the Kurdish Civil Society Organization, in cooperation with the "Yekbar" Association, held a seminar at its headquarters in Qamishlo. The discussion focused on the state of Kurdish journalism 128 years after its founding. Intellectuals, journalists, human rights activists, and artists attended.

Journalist Bêjar Eiso presented the seminar, reviewing the development of Kurdish media from the launch of the newspaper Kurdistan in Cairo in 1898 by Miqdad Midhat Bedirkhan, up to the digital media age.

The seminar discussed the role of Kurdish journalism as an ethical alternative for society in the absence of a political entity, as well as the evolution of media from print journalism to radio, television, and digital platforms that crossed geographic borders and spread globally.

It also addressed the importance of images and visual storytelling in conveying the Kurdish issue to global public opinion, in addition to the challenges of the digital age, especially the rapid spread of content and difficulty verifying accuracy while maintaining professional standards.

Three main topics were discussed:

Journalism ethics and the crisis of trust

Content production technologies

Development strategies

At the end of the seminar, a documentary film about Kurdish journalism was shown.

Another panel discussion was organized by the Kurdish Writers and Intellectuals Authority in Rojava at the Union of Intellectuals headquarters.

Questions discussed included:

Has Kurdish journalism succeeded in covering all events in Rojava over the past 128 years?

What is free journalism, and is journalism in Rojava free?

What are the conditions for developing journalism?

What is the role of Kurdish journalism in preserving Kurdish identity and heritage?

What are the main difficulties facing Kurdish journalists?

Participants said Kurdish journalism has developed despite difficult conditions and political restrictions, and has played an important role in introducing Kurds to the world. They also stressed that journalists, especially women, face serious challenges including direct targeting.

Garkê Legê

Meanwhile, the Union of Intellectuals in Jazira organized a cultural evening in Garkê Legê attended by intellectuals from Garkê Legê and Derik.

The event began with a minute of silence, followed by a presentation by historian Bradost Mitani on the beginnings of Kurdish journalism, noting the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper in Cairo in the late 19th century and the role of the Bedirkhan family in developing Kurdish media.

Zlukh Bakr, an administrator in the Derik Intellectuals Union office, said Kurdish journalism played a central role in serving the Kurdish cause and defending the rights of the people, especially during the Rojava Revolution.

Mustafa Mam Khair, a member of the Garkê Legê Intellectuals Union, reviewed the reality of Kurdish media and the challenges it faces, stressing its continued role in preserving cultural identity despite attempts to erase it.

Participants stressed the need to strengthen Kurdish media and activate its role in uniting Kurdish ranks while commemorating Kurdish Journalism Day.

a.k

ANHA