Rising Cyberattacks on Media Outlets in Kurdistan: PUKMEDIA Among Those Targeted

PUKMEDIA

Cyberattacks targeting media outlets in Kurdistan, including PUKMEDIA.

The Reporters' Organisation for Rights and Development (RORD) and the Metro Centre for Journalists' Rights and Advocacy have both highlighted a worrying rise in cyberattacks on media outlets in Kurdistan. In their annual reports, both organisations documented the increasing targeting of journalists and media institutions, with PUKMEDIA being a prominent victim of these cyber assaults.

The RORD, in its annual report on violations against journalists and media outlets, highlighted the cyberattacks on the official website of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUKMEDIA). The report states: "PUKMEDIA has been subjected to cyberattacks on two occasions." The Metro Centre for Journalists' Rights and Advocacy also documented these attacks in its own annual report.

According to RORD's statistics, three cyberattacks were carried out against two media outlets last year, with the official website of PUKMEDIA being one of the targeted media outlets from Erbil. In 2024, PUKMEDIA was struck on two separate occasions, temporarily disrupting its publication.

Hozan Qadir, Head of RORD, previously told PUKMEDIA that a total of 175 violations were committed against journalists and media outlets in the Kurdistan Region over the past year. Of these, 116 cases have been officially opened, with seven of the violations targeting female journalists.

In its 2024 statistics, the Metro Centre for Journalists' Rights and Advocacy revealed that PUKMEDIA, along with five other media outlets, was targeted in cyberattacks throughout the year. Diyari Mohammed, Director of the Metro Centre, explained that six cyberattacks were launched against media outlets, including PUKMEDIA, in 2024. He emphasised that these attacks are specifically aimed at hindering the ability of media organisations to reach their audiences. "Cyberattacks and violence are both dangerous and serve the same purpose — preventing information from reaching the public," Mohammed stated.

The Metro Centre's 2024 report also recorded 182 violations against journalists, which included the killing of three journalists in drone attacks, 103 instances where journalists were obstructed from reporting, and six cyberattacks on various media outlets. The data highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in the region and the rising threat to media freedom.



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