Two Kurdish journalists on their reporting challenges - The Global Jigsaw, BBC World Service

Key Concepts:

• Kurdish identity and marginalization in Iran
• Censorship and control in Iranian state media
• Risks and restrictions faced by journalists covering Kurdish issues in Iran and Turkey
• Kolbari (smuggling) as a means of survival for Kurdish people
• Challenges of interviewing members of designated terrorist organizations (PKK)
• The role of international media in amplifying Kurdish voices

1. Kurdish Identity and Experiences in Iran

• Systematic Marginalization: Sarbas Nazari describes a "collective grievance" among Kurds in Iran, where they are "by default" considered rebels by the Islamic Republic from birth. This leads to challenges in education and professional life, requiring them to "claw their way up" for inclusion and recognition.
• Unequal Playing Field: Jiyar Gol recounts feeling disadvantaged from the first day of school due to not knowing Farsi, the dominant language. He shares an anecdote of a teacher slapping a classmate for speaking Kurdish, highlighting the suppression of their mother tongue.
• Language Barrier: Jiyar expresses regret for not having a strong first language, noting accents in Kurdish, Farsi, and English, which he perceives as a limitation.

2. Censorship and Control in Iranian State Media

• Daily Battle: Sarbas describes working in Iranian state media as a "daily battle" against systematic censorship, with orders from above dictating how to cover stories, what language to use, and what words to avoid.
• Specific Guidelines: Specific directives came from bodies like the Supreme National Security Council, dictating the angle of stories, what to ignore, and terminology to use for adversaries like Israel and the United States.
• "Islamic Awakening" vs. "Arab Spring": During the Arab Spring, journalists were ordered to refer to it as an "Islamic awakening" to align with the Supreme Leader's narrative of Iran as a role model.
• Self-Censorship: Sarbas implies that self-censorship becomes ingrained as journalists realize the futility of resisting constant pressure.

3. Risks and Restrictions for Journalists

• Freelancing Challenges: Sarbas transitioned to freelancing for international outlets but faced the constant fear of interrogation, arrest, and imprisonment due to a lack of state authorization.
• Exile as a Result: The pressure led him to leave Iran, sacrificing firsthand access to his country and society.
• Turkey's Red Lines: Jiyar notes that in Turkey, journalists covering Kurdish issues faced "red lines" that, if crossed, could lead to losing their positions or facing arrest.
• PKK Coverage = Terrorism: Covering Rojava (northern Syria) or interviewing PKK leadership was equated with supporting terrorism, leading to expulsion or entry bans.
• Arrest and Deportation: Jiyar recounts being arrested in Istanbul Airport and nearly deported to Iran, highlighting the severity of the risks. He was eventually deported to Iraqi Kurdistan due to the intervention of the British embassy.

4. Kolbari: A Risky Means of Survival

• Smuggling as a Last Resort: Sarbas covered the issue of "kolbari," where jobless Kurdish people smuggle goods across the Iran-Iraq border to make ends meet. The government considers this smuggling.
• Dangerous Journeys: He describes visiting the mountains to witness the practice firsthand, noting the presence of teenagers carrying heavy loads.
• Border Guard Violence: Jiyar adds that border guards often shoot at kolbars and their animals, creating a "slaughterhouse" scenario.
• Landmines and Avalanches: Kolbars also face risks from landmines left over from the Iran-Iraq war and avalanches.
• Educated Kolbars: Jiyar was surprised to find well-educated individuals with master's degrees resorting to kolbari due to lack of job opportunities.
• Parliamentary Embarrassment: Jiyar's report on kolbari caused embarrassment in the Iranian parliament, leading to promises of action.

5. Interviewing the PKK

• Editorial Policy Clearance: Interviewing the PKK requires clearance from the BBC's Editorial Policy department due to their designation as a terrorist organization.
• Challenges of Access: Direct access to PKK leadership is difficult due to ongoing conflict and drone surveillance.
• Indirect Interview: Jiyar had to resort to sending questions to a contact, who then relayed them to a PKK commander. The answers took several weeks to receive.
• US and Allied Forces Cooperation: Jiyar notes that US, British, and French special forces have fought alongside PKK commanders against ISIS in Syria.

6. The Impact of Journalism and Ongoing Threats

• Accountability: Krassi notes that reporting, even in restrictive environments, can cause embarrassment and force accountability.
• Iranian Regime Retaliation: Jiyar mentions that the Iranian regime has summoned, interrogated, and detained family members of BBC Persian journalists to pressure them.
• Plots Against Journalists in the UK: The head of MI5 stated that there have been 20 plots against Iranian nationals in the UK since 2022, primarily targeting Farsi-speaking journalists.
• Importance of Trust: Jiyar emphasizes the importance of building trust with sources and treating their stories with respect.

7. Synthesis/Conclusion

The discussion highlights the challenges and risks faced by Kurdish journalists and individuals in Iran and Turkey. It underscores the importance of international media in amplifying marginalized voices and holding power accountable, even in the face of censorship, threats, and restrictions. The interviewees emphasize the need for creative approaches, resilience, and a commitment to truth-telling in dangerous environments. Despite the difficulties, their work has had a tangible impact, raising awareness and prompting some level of accountability from the Iranian regime.