Seventh Conference of Free Media Union kicks off

The 7th General Conference of the Free Media Union, currently being held at the Muhammad Sheikho Center for Culture and Arts in Qamishlo, is attended by the co-chair of the Media Department of the Democratic Autonomous-Administration of North and East Syria, Jiwan Mala Ibrahim, along with representatives of the Autonomous-Administration, the Democratic Society Movement, the Kongra Star, the Media Center of the People's Protection Units and Women's Protection Units.

The conference hall was decorated with photos of 31 journalists who were martytred while covering the battles in the region against ISIS mercenaries and the Turkish occupation, including six martyrs from ANHA agency. with the photo of martyr Mazlum Dogan in the middle, accompanied by the phrase "Ambassadors of truth, we will always follow in your footsteps."

The conference began with a minute of silence, followed by a speech by the co-chair of the Free Media Union, Diliyar Jaziri, in which he said: "Today we are holding our seventh conference, which is the fruit of 14 years of media struggle in NE Syria," referring to the sacrifices of 31 media professionals who lost their lives while covering the battles, and recalling the journalists who were recently martyred in the resistance at the Tishreen Dam.

Jaziri reviewed the history of the union, explaining that its first conference was held in the city of Amuda as a bold step in the face of the restrictive policies imposed by the Baathist regime, which had prevented Kurds from practicing journalism for decades. He emphasized that the union represented an independent voice away from the regime's authority and contributed to the protection of journalists by forming a special advisory unit for this purpose.

Jaziri said, "Today's responsibilities are great, and the challenges facing journalists are even greater. We pledge to our people that we will be their the voice of truth."

For his part, the co-chair of the Media Department in North and East Syria, Jiwan Mala Ibrahim, reviewed the beginnings of the media movement in the region, noting that the first media conference was held secretly in the city of Derbasiyah in 2007 as a result of the Baathist regime's crackdown. He emphasized that the Free Media Union has become the primary reference for journalists in the region, praising the growth in the number of people working in the media sector, which now includes hundreds of male and female journalists.

Jiwan Mala Ibrahim stressed the importance of conveying the voice of the revolution in NE Syria to the world and opening channels of communication with Syrian journalists in various regions, so that the union can serve as an umbrella organization for them.

The conference is expected to see amendments to the union's internal regulations, in addition to the election of the general council and the new joint presidency. The conference will also issue a set of important outcomes and recommendations that will define the features of the next phase of media work in NE Syria.

Sh-S

ANHA