ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Heads of multiple foreign missions in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq have congratulated Rudaw Media Network for its 12th anniversary, commending its role as a leading media outlet in the region.
May 29 marks the 12th anniversary of Rudaw Media Network.
Liu Jun, China's consul general in Erbil, commended Rudaw Media Network as "the only Iraqi media outlet with a permanent office and correspondent in China, has provided extensive, honest, and objective coverage of China-related topics."
He added, "These efforts have significantly strengthened mutual understanding and relations between the peoples of China and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq."
Jun also said that Rudaw is "well-positioned to further strengthen its role as a bridge between China and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq."
Yann Braem, France's consul general in Erbil, proudly highlighted their strong relations with Rudaw.
“I think Rudaw is one of the most prominent media in all the Kurdish areas. We have been cooperating very closely with you for organizing events,” he said, adding that it is “very important” to maintain these relations.
He added, "We particularly value Rudaw's consistent and thoughtful coverage of Japanese initiatives in Iraq and the Kurdistan region, as well as coverage of Japanese experience. Their reporting has been instrumental in showcasing Japan's contributions to development and humanitarian assistance in the region."
Nikola Draganov is the Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic Bulgaria. Stating that he used to be a press secretary at home, he highlighted challenges journalists face.
“For my experience as a press secretary at the beginning of my career, I know how challenging and demanding the journalistic work is,” he said.
Rudaw has become “a leading source of news, not only in Kurdistan Region," added the diplomat.
Romanian Ambassador to Iraq Radu Octavian Dobre said he used to be a journalist.
"I was a former journalist in a past professional life, so I'm a big supporter of the freedom of speech and the freedom of journalists in any country," he said.
He commended Rudaw's content and coverage.
"Rudaw is one of the main providers of news in Iraq, and frankly, we as an embassy, we consider Rudaw as one of the main sources of information for our daily press review," said the diplomat.
"I noticed that Rudaw has always interesting subjects, not only as news but also as analysis, and I encourage Rudaw to keep it this way because I think it's probably one of the best news outlets in Iraq," he added.
Seungcheol Lim, the Korean Consul General to Erbil, said students graduate from elementary school at the age of 12 and enter a higher stage of education and reach the adolescent age.
Adolescence means one loves something very deeply, he elaborated.
Italian Consul General Tommaso Sansone said despite being in the Kurdistan Region for only five months, is aware of Rudaw’s “important” role in the region’s media.
He added that he follows Rudaw to get news, wishing better coverage for Rudaw.
Anu Saarela, Finnish Ambassador to Iraq, mentioned Iraq's progress in this year's Press Freedom Index.
"Iraq was number 155 among 180 states. So this is an improvement over the previous year, when the position was 169. However, there is room to improve, despite this progress, and particularly when it comes to the protection of journalists, there are journalists detained at this moment, also in Kurdistan," he said.
"Rudaw is a very well-established, awarded media establishment. So I think it brings more variety to the Iraqi media scene. So the impression is good," he said when asked about his assessment of Rudaw's work.
Rafayel Movsesyan, Head of Armenia’s mission to Erbil, said that he assesses Rudaw as a high-quality media outlet, adding that such a broadcaster can contribute to the development of the region. He emphasized Rudaw’s good relations with the mission.
