YRA honors media outlets, including ANHA agency, on Kurdish Journalism Day
The Free Media Union (YRA) honored several agencies and media outlets, including ANHA agency, in recognition of their significant role in covering the ongoing events in North and East Syria and conveying the truth to the world.
April 22 marks Kurdish Journalism Day each year. On this day, Kurdish journalists celebrate the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper, Kurdistan, which was issued in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, in 1898, under the leadership of Prince Miqdad Mithat Badrkhan.
On this occasion, the Free Media Union organized a ceremony and distributed the “Martyr Mazloum Bagok Awards for Labor” at the Muhammad Sheikho Center for Culture and Art in Qamishlo.
Many journalists from various local and international media outlets operating in North and East Syria attended the ceremony. A large screen displayed the front page of Kurdistan newspaper, along with images of 31 journalists who were martyred while covering battles against ISIS mercenaries, including 17 who were martyred during the Turkish occupation's attacks on the region.
Following a minute of silence in tribute to the martyrs of freedom, the Free Media Union presented a summary of the history of Kurdish journalism, from the release of Kurdistan to the development of a media revolution with a dedicated media workforce in North and East Syria. This was followed by a musical and poetic performance by Kurdish poet Farhad Mardi.
The co-chair of the Free Media Union, Dilyar Jazeri, stated: “We are grateful and indebted to the martyrs of free journalism, and we pledge to follow in their footsteps.”
He added, “127 years have passed since the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper, and since then, Kurdish media has seen remarkable growth. Today, there are dozens of media platforms that have made great sacrifices to convey the truth. Kurdish media carries a rich legacy, and its development has not been easy. Journalists have played a pivotal role in this journey, and now it is their responsibility to continue and expand this role.”
Arin Swed, the spokesperson for the Women’s Media Union, also commemorated the anniversary of the launch of the first Kurdish newspaper, Kurdistan, initiated in 1898 by pioneer Miqdad Mithat Badrkhan in Cairo.
She emphasized that the newspaper was not just a publication, but the beginning of a struggle that carried the hopes and aspirations of the Kurdish nation, aiming to establish the Kurdish voice in the face of efforts to erase and deny it.
She also pointed out that the journey of Kurdish media was not limited to men. Brave female voices emerged in this struggle, breaking societal and political barriers and proving that Kurdish women have played a vital role in building a free and independent media.
She said: “Since the beginning, Kurdish women have not just participated, but have been active agents, raising awareness, bravely reporting community issues, and defending its values and identity.”
She highlighted that Kurdish women’s struggle in the media field is a “dual struggle,” as they face not only restrictions on press freedom but also societal and cultural challenges that still limit their presence and influence in the field.
Concluding her speech, Arin stated: “Today, we pay deep respect to the sacrifices of Kurdish media workers, especially the women who paved the way for free expression and became beacons guiding new generations of female journalists. Let us turn this day into a renewed call to support women in Kurdish media, amplifying their voice and reinforcing their presence and decision-making power.”
Meanwhile, the co-chair of the Media Department in North and East Syria, Jwan Mulla Ibrahim, stated that the Badrkhan family left a lasting legacy for Kurdish journalism, and that Mazloum Dogan, the “Kawa of the modern era,” reignited that flame.
Mulla Ibrahim explained that the Kurdish people have always been oppressed, which is why the first Kurdish newspaper was published outside Kurdistan, highlighting the extent of the oppression they faced. Kurdish journalism has since become the voice of resistance and struggle, and he stressed that the efforts and sacrifices of journalists will not be forgotten.
He also clarified that the former regime in Syria prevented the Kurdish people from developing any media institutions, and those who did faced harassment and arrest. But today, the Kurds are leading free journalism in Syria and North and East Syria by creating a true media revolution.
A representative of the Free Media Union then took the stage and presented honorary awards to several media outlets and agencies, including Ronahi TV, Ronahi Newspaper, Rojava TV, Al-Youm Channel, North Press Agency, the Women’s Protection Units Media Office, Nefel Media Distribution Company, in recognition of their significant efforts in covering developments in North and East Syria and across the country.
The Serdem music band performed several traditional and revolutionary songs.
In conclusion, the family of ANHA agency’s late correspondent, martyr Issam Abdullah, and the family of martyr Mazloum Bagok, presented the Mazloum Bagok Awards for Labor to our agency, Hawar News Agency (ANHA), the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdulrahman, the Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces, and Firat News Agency (ANF).
A-H
ANHA
YRA honors media outlets, including ANHA agency, on Kurdish Journalism Day
April 22 marks Kurdish Journalism Day each year. On this day, Kurdish journalists celebrate the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper, Kurdistan, which was issued in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, in 1898, under the leadership of Prince Miqdad Mithat Badrkhan.
On this occasion, the Free Media Union organized a ceremony and distributed the “Martyr Mazloum Bagok Awards for Labor” at the Muhammad Sheikho Center for Culture and Art in Qamishlo.
Many journalists from various local and international media outlets operating in North and East Syria attended the ceremony. A large screen displayed the front page of Kurdistan newspaper, along with images of 31 journalists who were martyred while covering battles against ISIS mercenaries, including 17 who were martyred during the Turkish occupation's attacks on the region.
Following a minute of silence in tribute to the martyrs of freedom, the Free Media Union presented a summary of the history of Kurdish journalism, from the release of Kurdistan to the development of a media revolution with a dedicated media workforce in North and East Syria. This was followed by a musical and poetic performance by Kurdish poet Farhad Mardi.
The co-chair of the Free Media Union, Dilyar Jazeri, stated: “We are grateful and indebted to the martyrs of free journalism, and we pledge to follow in their footsteps.”
He added, “127 years have passed since the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper, and since then, Kurdish media has seen remarkable growth. Today, there are dozens of media platforms that have made great sacrifices to convey the truth. Kurdish media carries a rich legacy, and its development has not been easy. Journalists have played a pivotal role in this journey, and now it is their responsibility to continue and expand this role.”
Arin Swed, the spokesperson for the Women’s Media Union, also commemorated the anniversary of the launch of the first Kurdish newspaper, Kurdistan, initiated in 1898 by pioneer Miqdad Mithat Badrkhan in Cairo.
She emphasized that the newspaper was not just a publication, but the beginning of a struggle that carried the hopes and aspirations of the Kurdish nation, aiming to establish the Kurdish voice in the face of efforts to erase and deny it.
She also pointed out that the journey of Kurdish media was not limited to men. Brave female voices emerged in this struggle, breaking societal and political barriers and proving that Kurdish women have played a vital role in building a free and independent media.
She said: “Since the beginning, Kurdish women have not just participated, but have been active agents, raising awareness, bravely reporting community issues, and defending its values and identity.”
She highlighted that Kurdish women’s struggle in the media field is a “dual struggle,” as they face not only restrictions on press freedom but also societal and cultural challenges that still limit their presence and influence in the field.
Concluding her speech, Arin stated: “Today, we pay deep respect to the sacrifices of Kurdish media workers, especially the women who paved the way for free expression and became beacons guiding new generations of female journalists. Let us turn this day into a renewed call to support women in Kurdish media, amplifying their voice and reinforcing their presence and decision-making power.”
Meanwhile, the co-chair of the Media Department in North and East Syria, Jwan Mulla Ibrahim, stated that the Badrkhan family left a lasting legacy for Kurdish journalism, and that Mazloum Dogan, the “Kawa of the modern era,” reignited that flame.
Mulla Ibrahim explained that the Kurdish people have always been oppressed, which is why the first Kurdish newspaper was published outside Kurdistan, highlighting the extent of the oppression they faced. Kurdish journalism has since become the voice of resistance and struggle, and he stressed that the efforts and sacrifices of journalists will not be forgotten.
He also clarified that the former regime in Syria prevented the Kurdish people from developing any media institutions, and those who did faced harassment and arrest. But today, the Kurds are leading free journalism in Syria and North and East Syria by creating a true media revolution.
A representative of the Free Media Union then took the stage and presented honorary awards to several media outlets and agencies, including Ronahi TV, Ronahi Newspaper, Rojava TV, Al-Youm Channel, North Press Agency, the Women’s Protection Units Media Office, Nefel Media Distribution Company, in recognition of their significant efforts in covering developments in North and East Syria and across the country.
The Serdem music band performed several traditional and revolutionary songs.
In conclusion, the family of ANHA agency’s late correspondent, martyr Issam Abdullah, and the family of martyr Mazloum Bagok, presented the Mazloum Bagok Awards for Labor to our agency, Hawar News Agency (ANHA), the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdulrahman, the Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces, and Firat News Agency (ANF).
A-H
ANHA
