US advocates for free press following Rudaw suspension in Rojava

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States advocates for press freedom and the safety of media workers worldwide, a US official told Rudaw on Tuesday in response to the suspension of the network’s license to operate in northeast Syria (Rojava) earlier this week.

“A free and independent press is vital to healthy governments as they enable citizens to make informed decisions while holding officials accountable,” a spokesperson for the US Department of State wrote in an email sent to Rudaw.

The US official’s comment comes in response to the suspension of Rudaw Media Network’s ability to work in Rojava as the authorities claimed on Saturday that the media outlet spreads hate and misinformation.

Rudaw, however, considers the decision to be political and a violation to the freedom of press.

“Rudaw Media Network considers this a political decision and a crime against freedom of the press in Western Kurdistan. Rudaw Media Network operates very professionally and complies with regulations everywhere. The decision by the Autonomous Administration lacks legal grounds and is coming from thin political and partisan considerations,” it said in a statement following the ban.

The suspension was also slammed by press freedom organizations.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Monday condemned the forcible closure of the network and called on the authorities to respect media pluralism.

Rudaw's teams have previously repeatedly come under attack in Rojava, but the security forces in the region are yet to hold anyone accountable for the attacks.