Bêrîtan Elyakut/JINHA

AMED – As Kurdistan Newspaper began its broadcasting life 118 years ago, female journalists, who report the state’s attacks to world public opinion at the risk of their life, said that they’ll not surrender to be journalists and they’ll continue to reflect the truth.

The first Kurdish Newspaper Kurdistan printed in April 22, 1898 in Cairo, Egypt. Thus, 22 April is marked as the anniversary of Kurdish Journalism. After 118 years, some of the Kurdish journalists have faced to live in “exile”; Kurdish press has been subjected to massacres, arrests, pressures and exile. Kurdish press is an alternative press against pro-state press to reflect the voice of oppressed and massacred people. Kurdish journalists have become the focus of the state’s attacks. The journalists, who have tried to report the massacre in Kurdistan, have been killed or arrested. However, the journalists continue to reflect the truth despite all attacks.

JINHA editor Zehra Doğan emphasized that Kurdish journalists have faced to pressure and oppression like in 1990. She stated that each journalist has been subjected to violence. Zehra said that Kurdish press represents oppressed people. Being in the front line is the Kurdish journalists’ duty. Zehra stated that the Kurdish people are going through a historical process now. Zehra said, “Kurdish people haven’t been so close to the stability of self-government until now. Kurdish people have faced to the most severe attacks in the history. They have been killed in their houses, streets and neighborhoods. Talking about our experience is both simple and meaningless while the people are so brave. However, the press is one of the most important areas of resistance.

“As JINHA, we’ll continue to be areas of resistance and note the immortal women.”

Dicle News Agency(DİHA) female reporter Beritan İrlan said, “Our eight friends are jailed now. However, we’ll stand on by taking their duties. They cannot stop us from report the news. Our journalist friends don’t leave their camera at the cost of their life to report the news to people. We’ll continue to reflect the truth and resist.”

(mg/gd)