ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Diplomats and foreign missions in the Kurdistan Region highlighted the importance of press freedom and its contribution to a free and fair electoral process while attending an event on Monday to launch a special Rudaw TV show for coverage of the upcoming elections. Rudaw’s Media Network’s new program, “100-seats,” is set to premiere at the start of the campaigning for the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections. The program will host candidates to talk about their election platforms and plans, as well as discussing their ideas and takes on the pressing issues in the Region. Tenured presenter Ranj Sangawi will host. “As the election campaign begins, our audience will witness a comprehensive and professional media rollout, featuring an array of new and insightful programs tailored for the occasion,” Rudaw Media Network CEO Ako Mohammed said. Mohammed also lauded the participation of foreign diplomats and international organizations in the event for offering “invaluable support and encouragement for the professional work we aim to accomplish.” US Consul General in Erbil Steven Bitner praised the format of the show, affirming that its debates will be a critical part of successful election campaigning in the Kurdistan Region. “These kinds of debates encourage political dialogue and help candidates to explain their priorities, they also encourage the citizens to participate in the process and vote,” Bitner said. Bitner also highlighted the importance of balanced coverage, noting that equal access to information is required for effective media work. “We hope to see equal coverage for all election events in the media, and no attempt to deny access to venues for journalists from one outlet or another,” the US diplomat said. The Consul General of the United Kingdom in Erbil Andrew Bizley said the core of the program was “making reliable information available to all in a timely way,” as well as holding the candidates to account. “It is not just about scrutiny of the candidates, an active media has an important role to play in examining the conduct of the electoral processes overall to give voters confidence in its fairness,” Bizley said. Bitner also talked about the importance of social media during the campaign and cautioning against its misuse including cyber harassment. “Alongside the rise of social media, we have seen a rise in of what we call cyber harassment, including in the context of elections, and that's both directed individually at candidates and also use of social media more broadly to share disinformation to undermine them," Bizley said. Thomas Seiler, ambassador of the European Union to Iraq, said that the EU values its relations with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, but he was critical of the delay of the Region’s long overdue general elections. Seiler also spoke of the importance of objective journalism during campaigns and the need to transfer all-rounded information to the citizens to contribute to a fair and balanced vote. “Media should, however, also make efforts to inform the citizens of political programs, positions, and ideas in an objective manner,” Seiler said. “They should contribute to a fair and balanced presentation of the political programs. They should act against those who only wish to fuel clearly undemocratic and even violent positions.” Yann Braem, France’s consul general in Erbil, reiterated his country’s support for the Kurdistan Region, the parliamentary elections, and the supporters of freedom of speech. “As in every context ... in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, in Iraq, and everywhere in the world, we will stand by those who support freedom of expression, pluralism in media, and these two aspects, freedom and pluralism are key central aspects of the public debate," Braem said. The French envoy also hailed professional journalism to report reliable information as a “key element” in any country’s democratic process. “Reliability of information, the professionalism of journalism, and the fact that they are protected [to do] their job and to inform people is a key element of the democratic process of the public discussions that has to take place before a choice can be made for the voting,” Braem said. In June, President Nechirvan Barzani set October 20 as the date for the vote, two years after it was originally scheduled. The election has been mired in difficulties, mainly because of tensions between the political parties - particularly differences between the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) - exacerbated by interference from Baghdad. The upcoming election will be unique in Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary history, with fewer seats in the legislature, a new constituency system, and the poll being administered by the federal commission for the first time because of disagreements between major Kurdish parties that resulted in the failure of the regional electoral body. Iraq’s Independent Electoral High Commission (IHEC) said that the primary results will be announced within the first 24 hours after polling stations close. A date for the start of campaigning still has not been set. The IHEC is prepared to meet this week to decide on a date.
