"Guardians of Truth" memorial unveiled in Al-Sulaymaniyah to honor fallen journalists
Shafaq News/ The city of Al-Sulaymaniyah witnessed the unveiling of the"Guardians of Truth" monument on Saturday, commemorating journalistswho lost their lives while performing their professional duties in Iraq and theKurdistan Region.
During the ceremony, the head of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate,Muayyad Al-Lami, highlighted “the severe challenges facing journalists in Iraqand Kurdistan,” calling for “joint efforts”
“The monument is a symbol of [thejournalists’] resilience and sacrifice.” He said.
Kurdish Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani underscored the importanceof preserving press freedom amid the difficult circumstances the region isfacing. “we must protect freedom in press.”
Over the past two decades, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have seen anincrease in the targeting of journalists, particularly after the US invasion ofIraq in 2003.
RSF said in a recent report that it “has observed a surge in pressfreedom violations since late June, including attacks against journalists,arrests, and a conviction…”
Journalists also face numerous legal and political challenges, includingdefamation lawsuits, arbitrary detentions, and unfair trials. Iraqi and Kurdishauthorities have been criticized for their assaults on press freedom, includingarbitrary detentions and physical assaults on journalists.
The Metro Center for Journalists Rights and Advocacy, a Kurdish mediawatchdog, recorded 249 violations against journalists and media outlets in2023, a decrease from the 431 violations documented in 2022.
Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, ranks 169 out of 180 countries onthe World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Last August, a Turkish drone strike in Al-Sulaymaniyah resulted in thedeaths of two journalists and injuries to another.
