Tayip Temel, Deputy Co-Chair responsible for the Press, Publication and Propaganda Commission of the DEM Party, emphasized in a statement marking Kurdish Journalism Day that this tradition represents “an unending resistance in pursuit of truth.”
Temel added: “The tradition of Kurdish journalism, which began 128 years ago on April 22, 1898, with the publication of the newspaper Kurdistan in Cairo by Miqdat Midhat Bedirxan, has today become the name of a great legacy and resistance.
This first torch, lit in exile, under conditions of extreme hardship and heavy pressure, marked the first institutional step in a people’s search to make their voice heard in the world.”
Temel continued: “Throughout history, Kurdish journalism has continued to exist in the face of repression, censorship, and bans, and has had to pay a heavy price. Prevented from making its voice heard in its own lands, the Kurdish press has struggled to survive across the world, from Cairo to Geneva, from London to Istanbul. Celebrated since 1973, Kurdish Journalism Day represents a tradition of a free press that has persistently followed the path opened by Miqdat Midhat Bedirxan, insisting on pursuing the truth despite continuous attacks, restrictions, policies of destruction and assimilation, and massacres.
Today, the profession of journalism still faces serious threats. The fact that our colleagues are prosecuted, imprisoned, and have their pens broken because of their reporting remains one of the greatest obstacles to peace and a democratic society. On this occasion, we once again emphasize that journalistic activity is not a crime and that journalists currently in prison must be released as soon as possible.”
Temel said: “On this April 22, Kurdish Journalism Day, we salute the workers of the free press who, with the awareness of this honorable history, continue the struggle for truth at the cost of their lives—those who are both witnesses to and part of this history, the bearers of memory, and the protectors of the Kurdish language and culture. We respectfully commemorate all the martyrs of the press who lost their lives while pursuing the truth.
In the 128th year of Kurdish journalism, we will continue to be the voice of truth. We celebrate the Journalism Day of all Kurdish press workers, especially Miqdat Midhat Bedirxan, the founder of the newspaper Kurdistan. In the person of Musa Anter, Gurbetelli Ersöz, Nagihan Akarsel, Cihan Bilgin, and Nazım Daştan, we remember with respect, mercy, and gratitude all the martyrs of the press. We bow respectfully before their memory, their legacy of struggle, and their resistance.”
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