A two-day workshop for Kurdish media professionals from Europe took place in the Netherlands. Representatives from television stations, news agencies, newspapers, and digital platforms came together for the media workshop to discuss the challenges, working conditions, and strategic perspectives of independent Kurdish media work.
Participants included Fuat Kav, Helin Cudi, Amed Dicle, Devrim Arslan, Cahit Mervan, Faruk Sakık, and Reşat Sorgul—active journalists from various Kurdish editorial offices in Europe. Representatives of civil society organizations also took part in the workshop, including Zübeyde Zümrüt, co-chair of the Kurdish umbrella organization KCDK-E.
The workshop began with the reading of a message from Abdullah Öcalan on the occasion of the presentation of the 32nd Musa Anter Journalism Award and other awards for media professionals in the tradition of the free Kurdish press who lost their lives in the course of their work. Journalist and author Ferda Çetin then gave the opening speech.
On the first day of the meeting, the focus was on a critical examination of the state of the Kurdish media landscape – in print and online as well as in audiovisual reporting. Structural challenges and necessary organizational changes were discussed in two thematic panels. The role of the media in the context of Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ was also addressed.
The second day began with a presentation on the role of women in Kurdish media work entitled “Women’s presence in our media – our struggle and what needs to be done.” This was followed by the presentation of survey results dealing with content trends, structures, and working conditions in the participating editorial offices. The data was evaluated jointly, emphasizing the importance of systematic surveys for the sustainable development of free media institutions.
The afternoon was devoted to presentations and discussions on digital media work and online publications. In three additional working groups, participants exchanged views on questions of future orientation, existing problems, and possible solutions—with a particular focus on strengthening free Kurdish media in Europe.
The publication of an official final statement from the workshop is expected in the coming days.
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