MKG: 30 women journalists assaulted in 2024, 8 sent to prison

The Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association (MKG) shared its report on rights violations against women journalists throughout 2024 with the public during a press conference held at the association’s headquarters. 

The Kurdish and Turkish presentations of the report were delivered by MKG member Rojda Aydın and MKG executive Arjin Dilek Öncel. 

Pressure and threats against journalists 

Arjin Dilek Öncel described 2024 as a year in which pressures on journalists deepened, and underlined the severe threats faced by the Free Media. She pointed out that violence, legal harassment, and digital attacks have reached levels that not only jeopardize journalists’ working conditions but also threaten the public’s right to access information. 

The killing of two journalists  

The report highlighted the killing of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, who were targeted by a Turkish armed drone, on 19 December 2024, while covering attacks on the Qerekozax and Tishrin Dam in Northern and Eastern Syria.

Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin were targeted and killed despite their vehicle being clearly marked with the word “PRESS,” said the report, adding: “This attack, which occurred on the road between the Tishrin Dam and the town of Sirrin, reveals the extent of violations against the right to life of press members.”

Journalists are harassed and intimidated

Arjin Dilek Öncel said that journalists focusing on topics such as women’s rights and human rights are particularly subjected to organized hate campaigns, doxxing (exposing personal information), and cyber harassment. She also noted that legal pressures are systematically used as a tool to intimidate journalists. Many journalists face prosecutions for their critical reporting, while threats and attacks that remain unsolved continue to perpetuate a culture of impunity. 

Statistics on rights violations 

According to the figures presented by the MGK report 2024:  

– 30 journalists were assaulted 

– 10 journalists had their homes raided 

– 8 journalists were summoned for questioning 

– 3 journalists were issued arrest warrants

– 4 journalists were arrested 

– 45 journalists were subjected to mistreatment

– 17 journalists were threatened

– 40 journalists were prevented from covering news

In addition, eight rights violations against journalists in prison were documented. Throughout 2024, investigations were launched against 37 journalists, lawsuits were filed against 29 journalists, and sentences were demanded for 25 journalists.

The total prison sentence handed down to journalists amounted to 52 years, 9 months, and 17 days. There are currently 183 journalists on trial, with 8 journalists still in detention as of 7 January 2025. Moreover, six journalists lost their jobs during the year. 

Call for international awareness 

MKG called on the international community to take action against the increasing pressures on journalists and underlined the importance of raising global awareness about the need to protect journalists. The statement added that the physical, digital, and legal attacks against journalists have evolved into a systematic pattern that threatens press freedom.