Under Saddam Hussein media in Iraq were plainly ‘his master’s voice’. In the Kurdish region the situation improved after the end of the Gulf War of 1991 and new media started, mostly as part of political parties. Gradually also independent media surfaced, first Hawlati in Suleymania, followed by Awene (also in Suleymania) and after 2003 Sabah (later called Sabah al Jedid) in Baghdad. The Iraqi journalists of today mostly have no journalistic background, as goes for editors in chief.
Neurink believes an independent media centre is needed to help Iraqi journalists develop themselves, and to help Iraqi media play a role in the development of democracy in the country.
As of April 1 2008 the media centre will be based in Suleymania. It will offer consultancy and training for media in the whole of the Kurdish region, and it will be equally supporting independent and party-related media. Training will also be conducted for journalists from the south of Iraq, who for safety reasons will travel to the Kurdish region.
The Kurdish regional government has also offered its financial support to the project.
Judit Neurink currently is a Middle East editor at Trouw Daily in Amsterdam. |
