“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter,” said Thomas Jefferson, political philosopher and third President of the United States.
More than two centuries ago, Jefferson expressed an idea that remains as relevant today as it was then: a free society cannot exist without free and independent media. Democracy does not depend only on elections, parliaments, or state institutions, it also depends on informed citizens who have access to reliable information and can therefore assess political, social, and economic developments critically and responsibly.
At a time when disinformation, political polarization, and digital manipulation are spreading across the world, trustworthy journalism has become more important than ever. It is one of the essential foundations of social cohesion, democratic stability, and informed public debate.
For the Kurdish people, this insight carries particular significance.
The history of Kurdish media did not begin with the internet, social media, or satellite television. As early as 1898, the first Kurdish newspaper, Kurdistan, was published by Miqdad Midhat Bedir Khan in exile in Cairo. It was much more than a journalistic project. It reflected a desire for education, cultural preservation, and public enlightenment.
In the decades that followed, numerous Kurdish newspapers and magazines emerged. Publications such as Hawar, Ronai, Jin, Denge Kurdistan, Roji Kurd, and Radio Erevan became important forums for language, literature, science, and public debate. Many appeared under difficult political conditions. Some were banned. Others saw their editors persecuted or forced into exile. Yet they all shared a common belief: knowledge creates awareness, and awareness strengthens society.
The launch of Med TV in the 1990s marked a new chapter in Kurdish media history. For the first time, millions of Kurds could access information in their own language across state borders. A shared Kurdish public sphere began to emerge. The media became more than a source of news. It became a vehicle for cultural identity, public dialogue, and social connection.
Rudaw stands within this historical tradition. At the same time, it has brought Kurdish journalism into a new era.
In just thirteen years, Rudaw has become one of the most influential media networks in the region. What began as an ambitious project has become a primary source of information for millions of people across all parts of Kurdistan. International media organizations such as CNN, BBC, Reuters, the Associated Press, and many others regularly rely on Rudaw's reporting and information. This recognition was not given; it was earned through professionalism, credibility, and persistence.
Yet the importance of Rudaw goes beyond its reach and success.
Through its professional standards, Rudaw has become a benchmark for the wider media landscape in Kurdistan. Every strong media institution sets standards that challenge others to improve. It encourages more accurate reporting, greater independence, and a stronger commitment to representing the diversity of society.
A democratic public sphere does not depend on a single voice. It depends on a diversity of credible voices. Media pluralism is therefore not a threat to successful journalism; it is its necessary complement. Different journalistic perspectives, political views, and social positions strengthen public debate and contribute to the democratic maturity of a society.
The condition and diversity of the media are important indicators of the quality of a democracy. Citizens' knowledge and public opinion are shaped largely by the media. For this reason, it is essential to protect press freedom, ensure transparency in media structures, provide fair and secure working conditions for journalists, and resist propaganda, political manipulation, and corruption within the media sector.
At the same time, we must not forget the conditions under which media organizations operate in the Middle East and Iraq. The region remains far from achieving full press freedom. Journalists often work under political, economic, or ideological pressure. Intimidation, legal restrictions, political interference, financial dependency, and security threats continue to shape the daily reality of many media professionals.
Kurdistan is not immune to these challenges. Its media landscape has developed significantly over recent decades, yet many outlets still face political, economic, and social pressures. Independent journalism remains a daily struggle rather than an established reality.
Against this background, the work of Rudaw becomes even more significant. Press freedom reveals its true value not in times of approval, but in times of pressure. It proves itself when journalists continue to investigate, present different viewpoints, and create space for public debate despite resistance and criticism. Rudaw itself has repeatedly faced political pressure, public criticism, economic challenges, and social polarization. Its commitment to professional standards, factual reporting, and editorial independence is therefore particularly important.
The struggle for media freedom is never fully won. Every generation must defend it anew. This struggle is not only against state interference. It is also against polarization, propaganda, economic dependency, and attempts to turn media into political instruments. In a region shaped by conflict, uncertainty, and competing interests, independent journalism is essential for stability, dialogue, and democratic development.
A free society needs independent media. But it also needs an informed public that is willing to engage with different perspectives and think critically. Democracy does not emerge from institutions alone. It grows where people have access to knowledge, can form their own opinions, and participate in public life based on reliable information.
In this sense, Rudaw's success is not simply the success of a media organization. It reflects the growing desire within Kurdish society for professional journalism, media diversity, and democratic public discourse.
Trust is the most valuable resource of any modern society. People need orientation.
They need to understand political developments, interpret social change, and make decisions based on reliable information. When trust in information disappears, uncertainty, rumors, and social tensions grow. The global spread of fake news demonstrates how quickly facts can be replaced by emotions, conspiracy theories, and political interests.
For these reasons, the media are much more than producers of news. They are institutions of education. They encourage critical thinking. They create public spaces for discussion. They enable social participation. They strengthen democratic culture. And they provide the guidance people need to navigate an increasingly complex world.
For Kurdish society, the media have an additional role. For generations, Kurds have lived under different political systems, different forms of government, and often conflicting national narratives. Media have therefore served as bridges between regions, generations, and communities.
Over the past thirteen years, Rudaw has played an important role in building these bridges. It has documented political events, facilitated social debate, and provided millions of people with access to information. In doing so, it has helped create a more informed public and a more confident society.
The latter achievement has come at a cost. Rudaw journalists have reported from war zones, refugee camps, conflict areas, and humanitarian crises. Some have lost their lives while carrying out their professional duty. Their sacrifice reminds us that press freedom is never guaranteed. It must be defended every day, often under circumstances that require courage, integrity, and personal commitment.
The story of Rudaw is therefore more than the story of a media organization; it is the story of a society seeking knowledge, orientation, dignity, and self-determination.
Education, democracy, and media freedom are inseparable. A democratic society needs informed citizens. Informed citizens need reliable information. And reliable information depends on independent media.
The challenges ahead are considerable. Artificial intelligence, digital disinformation, and algorithm-driven information environments are transforming the way people consume news. Information spreads faster than ever, while the ability to verify facts is increasingly under pressure. This makes trusted journalistic institutions even more important. They remain committed to the core principles of journalism: truth, verification, transparency, and responsibility to the public.
After thirteen years, Rudaw has become much more than a media company. For many people in Kurdistan and beyond, it has become an institution of trust. In an age of growing uncertainty, this may be the greatest achievement journalism can accomplish.
Accurate information creates security and security creates trust; a democratic society needs both and a Kurdish society needs both as well. It needs media organizations that are willing to defend these values every single day.
Keep going, Rudaw!
Dr. Jan Ilhan Kizilhan is a psychologist, author and publisher, an expert in psychotraumatology, trauma, terror and war, transcultural psychiatry, psychotherapy and migration.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rudaw.