The Kurdistan Newspaper, first published by Miqdad Mithat Bedirxan on 22 April 1898 in Cairo, became one of the most significant and historic steps in the Kurdish people's pursuit of enlightenment, national consciousness, equality, and freedom.

As a milestone in the Kurdish press and intellectual life, the Kurdistan Newspaper unfortunately had to be published in exile under very limited conditions and faced intense pressure. Although it began its publishing life in exile, it was nourished by the truth of Kurdistan and gave voice to the reality of the Kurdish people.

Tayip Temel, deputy co-chair responsible for the press, publishing, and propaganda commission of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), issued a statement to celebrate Kurdish Journalism Day.

The statement said: “The Kurdistan Newspaper became more than just a newspaper. It became the name of a shining truth in the Middle East 127 years ago, in resistance to denial, destruction, and erasure. Because of this character, the day of the newspaper’s founding, 22 April, has been celebrated as Kurdish Journalism Day since 1973. For 127 years, thousands of Kurdish journalists, despite unrelenting attacks, censorship, policies of annihilation and assimilation, and massacres, have persistently followed the path Miqdad Mithat Bedirxan paved, insisting on the pursuit of truth and stubbornly carrying on this tradition. Kurdish journalists who write the truth have not only witnessed a history of resistance, they have become a part of that history themselves. And they have paid great prices along the way.”

The statement added: “The Kurdish press, which emerged at the beginning of the 20th century, carried the torch of enlightenment through the darkness of the 1990s and led political and intellectual transformation in the 2000s. This breathless journey of truth has, today, become a powerful symbol of the search for peace and democratic society across Kurdistan and the wider Middle East. For this reason, Kurdish Journalism Day is not just a day of celebration, but also a symbol of resistance and the struggle for truth.”

The statement extended “heartfelt congratulations to all members of the Kurdish press and the wider world of journalism, especially honoring Miqdad Mithat Bedirxan, the founder of the Kurdistan Newspaper. We remember with respect, mercy, and gratitude all the martyred journalists, including Musa Anter, Gurbetelli Ersöz, Nagihan Akarsel, Cihan Bilgin, and Nazım Daştan. We bow with respect before their memory, their legacy of struggle, and their resistance.”