188 Violations Against Journalists Recorded in Kurdistan in 2025, Report Finds

PUKMEDIA

he Reporters Organisation for Rights and Developments.

The Reporters Organisation for Rights and Developments has released its fifth annual report on the state of journalism in Kurdistan for 2025, entitled “Enough Violations.”

According to the report, a copy of which was obtained by PUKMEDIA, a total of 188 violations were committed against 210 journalists and media outlets during 2025. These included 144 cases of obstruction and discrimination, 20 incidents of assault, seven legal complaints filed against journalists, two cases involving raids on media offices and the closure of television channels, eight arrests of journalists, one case in which a journalist was shot, and six cyberattacks.

The report found that Erbil Governorate recorded the highest number of violations, with 47 incidents. Duhok Governorate followed with 19 cases, while Sulaymaniyah recorded 18. Halabja Governorate saw the lowest number, with 10 documented incidents.

Beyond the figures outlined above, the report also highlighted other forms of violations affecting journalists and media institutions, including preventing media coverage, discrimination between outlets, physical harm to journalists, and the confiscation or damage of journalistic equipment.

The organisation urged the relevant authorities to take concrete steps to safeguard press freedom and to bring an end to such practices. It warned that unless the situation improves, conditions for the media will continue to deteriorate, stressing that press freedom in the Kurdistan Region is steadily worsening.



PUKMEDIA