On the 128th anniversary of Kurdish journalism, Khoshnaw Jamil, a member of the Council of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate, spoke to The Kurdish Globe about press freedom, the rise of digital media, and the need for legal reform in the Kurdistan Region.
He said Kurdish journalism has developed significantly in terms of technology and professional tools, but remains constrained by political influence.
“Kurdish journalism has fallen under political weight, which has had a negative impact. Every journalistic institution with financial capabilities is either under political pressure or influence,” he said.
He added that while media has become an essential part of public life in Kurdistan, political interests continue to overshadow broader journalistic goals.
Jamil also addressed the rapid expansion of social media, describing it as both an opportunity and a challenge for journalism.
“Social media has become the leading media platform today, serving as a stage for both good and bad content. There are no established standards, categorisation, or legal boundaries, despite it now being recognised as a form of media,” he said.
He noted that this lack of structure has affected the reputation of journalism, even as social media has expanded freedom of expression.
Speaking about the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate’s work, Jamil highlighted efforts to defend journalists’ rights and support media professionals.
He said hundreds of court cases have been resolved in favour of journalists and media outlets, and that the Syndicate has issued numerous reports and statements documenting violations against press freedom. He also noted that financial assistance and land allocations have been provided to journalists in need.
On the Journalism Law No. 35 of 2007, Jamil stressed the need for amendments to reflect modern media realities.
“The law only addresses print newspapers; it needs to be expanded to include visual media and social media,” he said.
He concluded that while social media has expanded journalistic freedom, its borderless and unregulated nature has created significant challenges that are difficult to control through legislation alone.
Interviewed by
Frsat Said Shkur