ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Officials from the Kurdistan Region congratulated Kurdish journalists on the occasion of Kurdish Journalism Day and reiterated their commitment to the freedom of expression and press.

Kurdish Journalism Day, April 22, marks the anniversary of the inaugural issue of Kurdistan Newspaper, the first Kurdish newspaper published in 1898, and the establishment of the Kurdistan Union of Journalists.

Over a century after the Kurdistan Newspaper's first release, officials in the Region renewed their commitment to protecting the right of expression and the freedom of the press.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani extended a congratulatory message to all journalists in the Region, wishing them the best and affirming "the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG's) commitment to the freedom of the press and journalism and facilitating the work of journalists."

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also marked the occasion by congratulating journalists in the Region.

He stressed the government's "commitment to freedom of the press and expression" as well as "the importance and necessity of protecting free speech as one of the main principles of democracy, progress, and a healthy and comfortable society."

Former Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani also took the opportunity to extend his "warmest congratulations" to all journalists and press workers in the Kurdistan Region.

He hailed the craft of journalism as an "important factor in raising national awareness and protecting and enriching the Kurdish language," while calling on journalists to "treat events and developments professionally in their line of work and take into consideration the values and interests of our nation."

Though the Kurdistan Region has witnessed a significant decline in the number of violations against journalists and the press, the Metro Center for Journalists' Rights and Advocacy watchdog has previously told The New Region that problems regarding freedom of the press still exist in Kurdistan.

“We are facing a new situation which is that violations have decreased in numbers, unlike previous years, but we cannot say we are in a perfect situation,” Director of Metro Rahman Gharib told The New Region.

According to Metro, there were more than 180 violations against journalists and media outlets in 2024, down from 250 in 2023.