Khabur FM: 12 years of free media, promoting coexistence in Jazira

The radio station launched its first broadcast on May 14, 2015, marking a qualitative shift in radio broadcasting in the Jazira region by airing programs in both Arabic and Kurdish, reflecting the spirit of coexistence among the region’s communities. Its establishment came as one of the achievements of the July 19 Revolution, turning a page on the exclusionary policies associated with the former Baath Party media through a radio discourse promoting coexistence and shared life among the region’s diverse communities, opening a new chapter in the history of media in the area.

The station was founded in Hasakah by a team of four people, including three women, and began broadcasting with limited resources under the slogan “The Voice of the Brotherhood of Peoples,” adopting an approach based on free media and strengthening communal life among peoples.

Khabur FM follows social events and reports on them, sheds light on public issues and discusses them with relevant parties while also working to propose solutions. It also conveys the voice of popular resistance during times of attacks.

Broadcasting on frequency 96.30 FM, the station offers a variety of programs covering social, political, cultural, artistic, economic, intellectual, women’s, youth, and children’s issues, in addition to news bulletins. Its programs have received wide appreciation from residents of Hasakah, contributing to the expansion of its listener base.

On the occasion of Khabur FM entering its twelfth year, journalist Zilan Issa spoke about her professional experience at the station, emphasizing that it was not merely a media outlet but rather a school where staff learned the foundations of journalistic and radio work despite their limited experience at the beginning.

Zilan explained that she spent four years at the station and that they initially started without sufficient knowledge of the media world before gradually learning how to prepare news reports, programs, and various journalistic tasks. She stressed that media work requires tremendous effort and the constant overcoming of challenges.

She affirmed that Khabur FM has achieved many accomplishments and developments throughout its years of work and that its primary goal is to convey the truth to the public, especially given the circumstances the region has experienced in recent years.

Speaking about the challenges, she explained that the region has witnessed repeated attacks and targeting in recent periods, with journalists among the main targets because of their role in reporting facts. She noted that hostile parties seek to prevent the truth from reaching the public, influence public opinion, and stir discord among the region’s communities.

She also pointed to the spread of false and misleading news through social media platforms, aimed at creating division between Arabs and Kurds and weakening the state of coexistence.

She stressed that Khabur FM publishes news in both Arabic and Kurdish without discrimination, based on its belief in the importance of pluralism and strengthening unity among peoples.

The journalist further highlighted the station’s focus on women’s roles and shedding light on their participation in society amid attempts to marginalize their voices and roles. The station also seeks to showcase women’s abilities to actively participate in various fields rather than limiting them to traditional roles.

She added that Khabur FM has recently faced challenges related to the spread of unreliable fake news, prompting its staff to focus on raising community awareness about the dangers of media disinformation by preparing programs and bulletins explaining methods for verifying information.

She emphasized that the goal is to raise social awareness and guide audiences toward trusted sources, adding that local media outlets that “have represented the voice of the people since the beginning of the revolution” should remain the primary reference for news instead of media platforms seeking to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion.

Journalist Zilan Issa also recalled several media workers who lost their lives while performing their journalistic duties in recent years, including Jihan Bilgin, Nazim Dashtan, and Akid Roj, who were martyred while conveying the truth.

She stressed that the staff of Khabur FM will continue following their path and will not abandon their media mission regardless of the challenges.

In conclusion, Zilan Issa congratulated the station on its twelfth anniversary, extended her greetings to all its staff, and affirmed their commitment to continuing their media work and struggle.

She also called on the people of the region not to be misled by false news and to rely on trusted sources to know the truth. 

A-H 

ANHA