Cîhan Bilgin’s Final Words Reflect Courage and the Cost of Truth in Conflict Zones

December 31, 2024 – Turkey –

Kurdish journalist Cîhan Bilgin and her colleague, Nazım Daştan, were killed in a Turkish drone strike near the Tishrin Dam in northeastern Syria. The pair were documenting the impact of Turkish military operations on local communities when their vehicle was targeted. Bilgin’s last message, written just 20 minutes before the attack, serves as a haunting testament to her unwavering commitment to truth and her understanding of the dangers of frontline journalism.

In her final note, Bilgin acknowledged the warnings she had received: “They will specifically target you.” Yet she rejected retreat. “Can my friend Nazım and I stay in one place and turn a blind eye to the distortion of the truth? I don’t think so,” she wrote. Her words reflect the tension many journalists face—balancing physical safety against a moral obligation to bear witness.

Bilgin emphasized the importance of presence in the field. “I am a war correspondent. I have to follow developments on the spot,” she declared. She also referenced the emotional connection she felt to the people and places she reported on: “Even if just for an old memory of a cup of coffee.” This personal dimension underscored the human cost of war and her belief in storytelling as a form of resistance and remembrance.

Her final line, “When you choose the path, you have to walk it at your own risk. The way is us, and we are the way,” reflects a deep philosophical and journalistic conviction.

Rights groups, including Women’s Press Freedom, condemned the drone strike as a deliberate attack on journalists and civilians, potentially constituting a war crime. They called for an independent investigation and greater protections for journalists in conflict zones.

Cîhan Bilgin’s death is a stark reminder of the escalating risks faced by journalists in war zones, especially in regions like Syria. Her words and sacrifice echo beyond her final dispatch, serving both as a call for justice and a powerful example of journalism’s enduring role in revealing uncomfortable truths.

Reference –

Last words of journalist killed by Turkish drone show dedication to truth – Medya News