Mezopotamya Women Journalists Association (MKG) and Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) made a joint written statement on 22 April Kurdish Journalists' Day. "Kurdish Journalism is 127 Years Old: The Pen of Resistance and Truth", the statement emphasised that the first step taken 127 years ago is still a torch burning against the darkness today.

 

It was reminded in the statement that Kurdish journalism entered the stage of history with the Kurdistan newspaper published by Miktad Midhat Bedirhan in Cairo on 22 April 1898, and that Kurdish journalists have faced continuous arrests and massacres since then.

 

FREE PRESS

 

In the statement, it was stated that Kurdish journalism was seen as a "threat" against state policies and reads as follows: "Despite all the pressures, the Kurdish press never gave up its insistence on writing the truth of the people. That is why today, this tradition is not only known as 'Kurdish journalism' but also as 'free press'. This understanding, which has developed under pressure, and which has the duty to deliver the truth to the people under all circumstances, constitutes the most dynamic, brave and resilient media tradition in the region. Today, both in Kurdistan and in the Diaspora, people often learn the truth through the Free Press. Because Kurdish journalism is not just a channel that conveys information; it is the voice, conscience, memory and resistance of a people.

 

'WOMEN LEAD THE WAY'

 

Women journalists are at the forefront of this struggle. We continue our efforts to make women's voices visible in every field. Pressures on freedom of the press also continue in digital media. Digital media bans, access bans and digital surveillance tools are used to silence the voices of journalists. However, we know that the public's thirst for truth is stronger than any ban. We also call out to young journalists: This honourable struggle will rise on your shoulders. You are the new generation of the free press tradition. May your pen be free, your voice be loud and your courage be comrades with history.

 

'WE WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE THE TRUTH'

 

As DFG and MKG; we are the heirs of this honourable resistance of 127 years. On this occasion, we respectfully commemorate all journalists who lost their lives for the sake of freedom of the press, and once again declare to the public that we stand by all press labourers who continue their struggle for truth in the four parts of Kurdistan and the Diaspora. Finally, we call on international press organisations, human rights institutions and all conscientious circles not to remain silent against the repression of Kurdish journalism. To write the truth is to defend the public's right to access accurate information. This struggle is not only the conscience of journalists, but also of society. We will not be silent. We will continue to pursue the truth."