Assaults on journalists in Kurdistan drop 22% in 2024

January 18, 2025 – Kurdistan – 

In 2024, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq recorded a 22% decline in violations against journalists, according to a report by the Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy. A total of 182 cases were documented, down from 231 in 2023, signaling modest progress in journalist safety. However, rights groups caution that the environment for independent journalism remains fragile.

The violations included:

• 27 cases of physical assault or threats
• 24 arbitrary arrests carried out without legal warrants
• 17 incidents of confiscated media equipment
• 60 cyberattacks, including online harassment and smear campaigns
• 103 instances where journalists were prevented from covering events or denied access to information

Despite the decrease, three journalists were killed, reportedly in drone strikes linked to Turkish military operations targeting Kurdish militant groups. The deaths highlight the continued danger for journalists covering conflict zones and border regions.

The Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate (KJS) also reported 43 violations affecting 73 journalists, including detentions, blocked reporting, and harassment. Encouragingly, no violations against female journalists were reported in 2024.

Metro Center’s director, Rahman Gharib, acknowledged the decrease but noted that systemic issues persist. Journalists continue to face barriers to accessing public information, interference from security forces, and a lack of legal safeguards, especially for freelance and investigative reporters. Detained journalists like Sherwan Sherwani, sentenced under broad national security laws, remain emblematic of these concerns.

In a promising development, the Kurdistan Regional Government repealed a controversial 2023 media directive that had imposed severe restrictions on coverage. While welcomed by media watchdogs, this alone is not enough. Organizations like Metro Center and the International Federation of Journalists are calling for comprehensive legal reforms, stronger institutional protections, and transparent investigations into attacks on the press.

Reference – 

https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Assaults-on-journalists-in-Kurdistan-drop-22-in-2024