Kurdish Journalists Network urges Damascus media to cover Kobani fairly
The Rojava-based Kurdish Journalists Network has called on Syria's official and state media to report developments in Kobani accurately, transparently and impartially, warning that selective coverage risks deepening social tension.
RastinewsThe Kurdish Journalists Network, based in Rojava, has called on Syria's official and state media to observe accuracy, transparency and impartiality when reporting on recent events in Kobani. In a public statement, the network warned that selective coverage risks deepening social tension.
The statement raised concern that some official outlets have overlooked basic facts on the ground. According to the network, certain pro-government media outlets described the killing of fighter Sipan Heso as an ordinary armed attack, omitting details of the killing itself and the mistreatment of his body afterward.
Protests labeled an "uprising"
The network also criticized some media outlets for describing the public protests in Kobani as an "uprising." The statement said this framing ignores the roots of public anger and the demands for a full accounting of events and accountability for those responsible.
"Hate speech must be avoided"
The network said official media outlets, as public platforms, carry a moral and professional responsibility, and called on the Damascus administration and state media to uphold transparency, impartiality and professional journalistic standards. It demanded that the full context of events be conveyed, that reports be verified before publication, and that the dignity and rights of victims and their families be respected.
The network further called for avoiding language that could deepen social division and tension, rejecting hate speech, and sharing reliable information that could help ease tensions.
Neither the Damascus administration nor state media has responded to the statement so far.
Who was Sipan Heso, and what happened in Kobani
Sipan Heso, whose real name was Sami Sheikhmus Heso, was a fighter with the Hasakah Brigade. He was abducted from his home on the night of September 10 by an armed Arab group, and his body was found in Hasakah the following day. His family said his two brothers had previously been killed fighting ISIS.
Heso's killing triggered mass protests in Kobani. Tensions escalated after security forces transferred some detained young men to Aleppo, and a fire broke out in the prison, resulting in deaths. Local sources initially put the death toll at 3, later revising it to 9, while the number of injured was reported variously as 24 and 17. A curfew was subsequently declared in Kobani, and Syrian presidential adviser Mazloum Abdi traveled to the city to meet with local officials.