Erbil Hosts Training Course for Ministry of Interior Officers on Media Relations
A specialized training course for 30 officers from the Ministry of Interior was recently held in Erbil, focusing on how to interact with journalists and media professionals. The course, organized in cooperation with the Department of Media and Information in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and UNESCO, aims to establish protocols for safeguarding public order and freedom of expression.
The training seeks to equip officers with the skills necessary for proper engagement with the media while ensuring the protection of journalists. Haiman Mirani, Director General of the Ministry of Interior's Office, emphasized that this course is part of the ministry’s broader efforts to enhance the capabilities of internal security officers.
“The course is essential to strengthening the Ministry of Interior’s ability to cooperate with the media while upholding legal standards,” Mirani stated.
وەزارەتی ناوخۆ و فەرمانگەی میدیا و زانیاری و ڕێکخراوی یونسکۆ، خولێکی ڕاهێنانی ئەفسەرانیان بۆ مامەڵەی دروست لەگەڵ میدیاکاران لە گردبوونەوە و خۆپیشاندان و دۆخە گشتییەکان بەڕێوە برد. pic.twitter.com/8SWSFB18zI
— Kurdistan Regional Government (@Kurdistan) October 9, 2024
Diaa Sobhi, Head of Information and Communication Programs, noted, “The main goal is to foster stronger collaboration between law enforcement agencies in the KRG and the journalistic community to ensure freedom of expression and journalist safety.”
This initiative is part of a broader agreement between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to expand the scope of freedom of expression and enhance the peace protocol. Officers will be trained in managing social conflicts—such as demonstrations, protests, and elections—using international protocol standards.
Officer Hakim Omar highlighted the significance of the training, stating, “In the Kurdistan Region, where there is a considerable degree of freedom, these courses are vital to reducing violations and ensuring that Ministry of Interior employees act in accordance with legal guidelines when dealing with journalists.”
Rinaaz Tofiq, an advisor from the Department of Media and Information, added, “This course, in coordination with UNESCO, allows us to work at a higher level with international organizations, presenting our country in the best possible light.”
The training is expected to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the media, promoting a balanced approach to maintaining order while respecting press freedoms.
