Kurdistan TV Correspondents Under Pressure

Based at the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in Northern Iraq, Kurdistan TVs Diyarbakır bureau chief Eren says they face discrimination and pressure from local officials. Were continuously surveilled by the police and receive anonymous threats.

Diyarbakır - BİA News Center
04 April 2007, Wednesday
Northern Iraq based Kurdistan TV's correspondents in Diyarbakır claim that they face arbitrary discrimination by local officials and receive random threats.

The station's Diyarbakır bureau chief Mehmet Eren told bianet that they established the necessary infrastructure in 2006 but try to work under pressure since then:

"Although we totally comply with the legal framework, we can't cover official events, can't get accreditation without a reason, face random and arbitrary pressure such as identity checks etc.

Our focus is on news related to the Kurdish issue in Turkey and such coverage results in increasing pressure and obstruction on us".

Noting journalists who work for the station are continuously under surveillance, Eren said: "Our houses and offices are surveilled by the police. We also received anonymous e-mail threats".(AÜ/TK/EÜ)

Independent Communication NetworkIndependent Communication Network comprises more than internet news website bianet.org. It is a continuously unfolding network since 1997 and embraces "Training Drives" for journalists and communication students and NGOs; handbook series, "Radio Programs" for the local media, conferences, forums, international exchange programs.

IPS Communication Foundation (BİA)IPS Communication Foundation is the implementing body for the BIA &bianet.org. Founded in 1993 by four journalists and one human rights activists, has implemented many projects including a BİA, BİA2 and BİA3.

BİA LibraryBİA Library comprises of handbooks series and guides and researches which systemize the theoretical and informative contributions realized during the implementation of programs within the BİA projects. Some of the 15 publications are in English and accessible via bianet.org.

Contact usYou can reach IPS Communication Foundation directors, BİA project coordination, bianet.org editorial board via telephone, fax, e-mail and mail from everywhere on the globe, dispatch information and/or documents and request meetings.