"Freedom of Press in Kurdistan of Iraq"

Iraqi AL-Mortaqa Foundation for Human Development (IAFHD) has established, in cooperation with Kurdish Levin Magazine, a cultural conference entitled "Freedom of Press in Kurdistan of Iraq" on 23-26/4/2007, when Mr. Ahmed Khalid (coordinator of Information Development of Al-Mortaqa Foundation) represented (IMFHD).

At 4:00 P.M started the works of conference at (Hall of Ashty Hotel) in Sulaimaniyah before more than 95 journalists and media persons as representatives of media institutions and Arab and Kurdish satellite channels.

Initially, Mr. Ahmed Mera, editor-in-chief of Levin Magazine welcomed audience and thanked Al-Mortaqa Foundation for sponsoring this conference, which came concurrently with the 109 anniversary of Kirdish Press Day.

Then Iraqi Al-Mortaqa Foundation submitted a good letter by the representative of Foundation Mr. Ahmed Khalid, coordinator of Information Department, in which he mentioned the role of Kirdish Press in the past and present and its qualitative evolution, as well as he stated Al-Mortaqa role, work and activities in the Iraqi arena, as it is one of the Iraqi pioneering training foundations.

Thus, Mr. Mustafa Saleh Karim, vice head of Kurdistan Journalists, submitted an Arabic speech, in which he thanked Al-Mortaqa Foundation and Levin Magazine for holding this conference.

Conference had included several lectures and researches, such as:

1.      Freedom of Press in Kurdistan region is under microscope, Ribien Hirdi-Writer and critic.

2.      Neutrality in media work, Dr. Ali Abd-Jabbar Al-Shamari- Professor in Information Department at Sulaimaniyah University.

3.      Defamation in Kirdish Press, Pro. Saman Fawzi-Chief of Policy Department at Sulaimaniyah University.

4.      Sources of Information between transparency and opacity, Pro. Adnan Othman-editor-in-Chief of Hawlaty Newspaper.

5.      Civic Press practice in Kurdistan of Iraq, Pro. Sitran Abdullah-editor chief of Naso Newspaper.

6.      Press ethics in the work of journalist, Pro. Haval Abu Baker-Professor of Information Department at Sulaimaniyah University.

7.      Media and Human Rights, Pro Ali Karim-Manger of Free Media in the American Organization (ICSP).

And at the last day of Conference, It had been discussed the experience of some independent journalists face challenges, and presented and discussed a proposal for defending upon journalists, and then presented the recommendations of conference (attached).

Finally, certificates of appreciation had been distributed by our Foundation on the researchers and conference management, as well as there is an acknowledgement letter and present had been submitted by Levin Magazine to our Foundation.

Recommendations of Conferences:

1.      It is incumbent upon government to release journalists detained in prisons and refer there issues to the courts and deal with them by law.

2.      There is must be transparency in information sources of governmental Institutions in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, never the less there are no obstacles before Journalists to obtain information, and we must prove this law.

3.      It is must be a way from the moods and individualism when dealing with Journalists in governmental institutions.

4.      It is incumbent upon government to inquire and punish the government officials who deal violently against Journalists without justifications.

5.      It is incumbent upon Journalists Union and all Committees and Associations of Journalists to increase the defensive attempts over journalists and stand against violence faced by them.

6.      Working on activating and establishing administrative courts for the legal abuses faced by journalists.

7.      It is must be eliminate the arrest acts of Journalists because that a direct affront against Journalistic work.

8.      It is incumbent upon parliament of the Kurdistan region to not vote on law of Journalistic work in parliament unless it subjects to the journalists for evaluation and review.

9.      It is must be remove all barriers to journalistic work and not accept any accusation for journalists without justifications.

10.  It is incumbent upon partisan media to eliminate the information campaign against free media rationale that free media is sharp in its orientation.

11.  We demand with moral and financial compensations for journalists who faced illegal dealings by the governmental institutions.

12.  We invite journalists to participate in the annual meeting of journalists on "World Press Freedom Day" in the (3/5/2007) in Sulaimaniyah and submit activities on this occasion.

13.  It is must be refer all issues of abuses carried out by the Authority against journalists to the local and international organizations as soon as possible.

14.  It is incumbent upon prosecution to bear the responsibility of defending the rights of journalists.

15.  Call for issuing a law to prevent detaining Journalists.

16.  Interest in studying journalism and provide facilities for Journalists in this field.

17.  Respect for professionalism and journalistic ethics by Journalists.

18.  Respect for sellers of newspapers and ensure their rights and provide places to sell them.