User:Mewoodruff/Leyla Yildizhan
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Leyla Yildizhan | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Died | August 8, 2014 |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Other names | Deniz Firat |
| Occupation | Freelance journalist |
Leyla Yildizhan (DAY MONTH YEAR – 8 August 2014), better known by her pen name Deniz Firat,[2] was a Turkish freelance journalist for the Firat News Agency who was reporting on the PKK in the Makhmur District, Iraq when she was hit by shrapnel from a mortar shell fire by ISIS troops and killed.[3][4]
Personal[edit]
Leyla Yildizhan comes from Çaldıran, Van Province, Turkey, and was buried in her home town after her death.[5]
Career[edit]
Leyla Yildizhan worked as a freelance journalist and her coverage from the frontlines of Kurdistan appeared on many news outlets.[3] She worked for several news outlets, such as Sterk TV, Med NUÇE, and Ronahi TV.[1]
Death[edit]
Leyla Yildizhan was killed by 8 pieces of mortar shrapnel that hit her, one of which hit her in the heart.[5][6] Before her funeral in Turkey, medical staff conducted an autopsy.[7]
Context[edit]
Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict (2013–present)
Impact[edit]
The safety of journalists reporting in Iraq has decreased since the start of the conflicts. Yildizhan was one of over thirty journalists killed while reporting in 2014.[8][9]
Reactions[edit]
Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, said "it is essential that all parties involved in the conflict in the region respect the civilian status of journalists and their right to carry out their professional duties in safe conditions."[8]
The head of UNESCO in Iraq made the following statement. "The safety of journalists working in conflict zones and even in safer areas is seriously at risk. More effective measures are required to protect them so that they can perform their duty of informing the Iraqi people and the international community of the evolving situation in Iraq. Freedom of expression and access to information are basic rights that must be uphold, in particular in times of conflict and in war zones where journalists often risk their lives to provide accurate and timely information”, added the Director of UNESCO Office for Iraq. “In this critical situation, citizens, policy makers and the international community rely heavily on journalists. Any attack against journalists and media institutions is intolerable and must be firmly punished."[8]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Leyla Yildizhan (Deniz Firat)". cpj.org.
- ^ "RSF calls for investigation into Turkish journalist's death". TodaysZaman. 12 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Kurdish Journalist Deniz Firat Killed by IS Mortar". Rudaw.
- ^ AFP (August 9, 2014). "Female Kurdish reporter killed in Iraq conflict". Al Arabiya.
- ^ a b "Thousands see Deniz Fırat off to her birth place Çaldıran". diclehaber.com.
- ^ "IŞİD, PKK'lı gazeteci Deniz Fırat'ı öldürdü". gazetevatan.com.
- ^ "IŞİD Tarafından Öldürülen Gazeteci Fırat, Van'da Toprağa Verildi". Haberler.com. 11 August 2014.
- ^ a b c "journalism - Iraq Business News". iraq-businessnews.com.
- ^ "Editorial: Journalists killed doing their job". Tampa Bay Times.
External links[edit]
