The Reporters Organisation for Rights and Developments (RORD), an independent, non-governmental and non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of reporters in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), held a press conference on Saturday in front of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) parliament in the capital, Erbil (Hewler) to disclose the findings concerning recent rights violations against journalists.
The group’s spokesperson, Hozan Qadir, stated that violations had increased significantly in the first half of 2022 compared to the second half of 2021.
According to the data gathered by the group, 140 journalists were subjected to rights violations in KRI within the last six months.
Two journalists were arrested, 29 were subjected to various forms of harrassment and were prevented from reporting and 14 were subjected to insult and torture.
A broadcaster was shut down, and the equipment of 21 journalists were smashed.
Hozan Qadir also noted that websites and media agencies like Bwar News, Wellat Media, Diplomatic Magazine and NRT digital media were targeted in cyber attacks by unidentified individuals or groups.
