KJS/Sulaymaniyah Branch Slams Reporter’s Actions as Unprofessional

Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate/Sulaymaniyah Branch

Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate/Sulaymaniyah Branch bulding.

The Sulaymaniyah branch of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate (KJS) has issued a strongly worded statement criticising the conduct of a reporter following an incident involving U.S. President Donald Trump.

A reporter from a Kurdish media outlet, Rahim Rashidi, posed a question to the U.S. President regarding weapons that he had previously claimed were sent to support Iranian demonstrators. The question included allegations that the weapons were now in Sulaymaniyah, which was widely viewed as provocative and as an attempt to undermine the reputation of Sulaymaniyah.

In response, President Trump said he was not pleased with the delivery of the weapons and expressed dissatisfaction with the situation. He noted that only a limited quantity had been sent and added that it remained to be seen who was in possession of them.

In a statement obtained by PUKMEDIA, the Sulaymaniyah branch Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate denounced the reporter's conduct and said: “When a reporter assumes the role of investigative committees or intelligence agencies, it reflects nothing but the ethical decline of certain elements within the media profession. A journalist who fails to understand the context, timing, impact and significance of a question is performing every role except that of a media professional.”

The statement continued: “What Rahim Rashidi did in front of the U.S. President constituted inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour, which has caused offence among Kurds across all parts of Kurdistan, particularly the people of South Kurdistan and the citizens of Sulaymaniyah.”

The Syndicate further stated: “We in the Sulaymaniyah branch of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate regard Rashidi’s conduct, along with his channel’s failure to apologise to the people of Sulaymaniyah, as emblematic of irresponsible media practice. We call on the public not to associate such behaviour with the wider media community, as it does not reflect the dignity, resilience, struggle and historic legacy of a city such as Sulaymaniyah.”

Addressing Rashidi directly, the statement added: “You still have much to learn about the sacrifices and the no's of this city.”

It concluded: “On behalf of the people of Sulaymaniyah and all Kurds committed to the Kurdish cause, we affirm that the stature of Sulaymaniyah is far too great to be diminished by such actions.”



PUKMEDIA