UNAMI chief, diplomats highlight importance of free speech at Rudaw event
Bestoon Talk, premiering this upcoming May, will see host Bestoon Othman traveling to different universities across the Kurdistan Region, meeting with the Region’s top officials and decision makers, and providing an opportunity to the students to directly ask the guests their most pressing questions without any censorship or previous screening.
“Bestoon Talk Show will open a new door between Kurdistan's youth and prominent personalities. In a time where there is a lack of dialogue and meetings in Kurdistan, this show will address unanswered questions so that the new generation can understand the details of the current situation and approach their future with more information,” said Rudaw Media Network CEO Ako Mohammed during the event.
UNAMI Special Representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert lauded the concept of Bestoon Talk within the framework of promoting freedom of speech, and the platform it provides for both the Kurdish youth and decision makers.
“It gives people, young people, a chance to engage directly with all kinds of leaders, and frankly any platform supporting such engagements is to be welcomed,” said Hennis-Plasschaert, adding “such a platform could shape professional journalism, boost the freedom of expression, and lead, for both sides, to a better understanding of certain struggles, issues, and complexities.”
The UNAMI chief highlighted the importance of engaging in healthy public discourse, urging politicians and officials to not shy away from participating in such dialogues.
“Freedom of expression is a fundamental pillar of any democratic society. It is critical in producing new and innovative ideas. It is a tool for accountability, for letting leaders when their policies or practices are not having the intended effects,” she added, stressing that silencing public discussion tarnishes image of the state and erodes public trust.
The event was also attended by numerous diplomats from all around the world, with the United Kingdom and Japan’s representatives addressing the significance of freedom of expression in a democratic society, and the need to include the youth in the decision making process and encouraging them to take part in the discussion.
“I am really pleased to see and learn about this really important opportunity for key political leaders and decision makers to engage in constructive discussion and challenge with young people, the future of this country,” said Rosy Cave, UK’s consul general to Erbil.
“I genuinely agree with him [Othman] on the importance of promoting more public discourses or public discussions, particularly with the young people. I, myself, visited a couple of universities here and there and I find huge potential for [Kurdish] youngsters,” said Futoshi Matsumoto, Japan’s ambassador to Iraq.
"Education is a key to reach out to youngsters because they have a potential for the future of Kurdistan and Iraq," noted Matsumoto.
Regarding the show, he said that "I think this Bestoon [Talk] show will lead to [a] good direction of democracy and freedom of speech and more diversity and a new mature country."
Despite backlash from international watchdogs and the public, the Kurdistan Journalists’ Syndicate’s annual report of 2022 showed that recorded cases of violations against journalists in the Region was less than the previous year, which itself had already fallen by a third compared to the year before.
Updated at 11:36pm