Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya Suspended in Kurdistan Following Criticism Over Rojava Coverage

Peregraf — Amid widespread public criticism over the coverage of Kurdish issues by regional media outlets—most notably Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, accused of bias and misrepresentation in their reporting on Syria and Rojava (Western Kurdistan)—the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has ordered several media distribution companies to immediately halt the broadcasting of foreign and Arabic television channels.

In that context, and described as a first step, the broadcasting of the Qatari-based Al Jazeera channel and the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya channel—accused of playing a negative role in coverage of the war and political developments in Syria against the Kurds—has been suspended in the Kurdistan Region, according to informed sources.

The directive was issued on January 28, 2026, by the Ministry of Culture and Youth, through the General Directorate of Media, Printing, and Publishing, and its Legal Department, under administrative order No. 123.

The order was addressed to five media companies: United Mix Media, Live Dream, Family Box, OBOX, and Najmat Al-Aalam.

Citing Instruction No. (1) of 2014, particularly paragraphs (1), (3), and (9) of Article (3) governing frequency regulation in the Kurdistan Region, the ministry stated that the continued broadcasting of foreign and Arabic channels has contributed to social unrest and has negatively affected public morals and the values of the Kurdish nation.

The ministry warned that failure to comply would constitute a violation of Article (2) related to licensing and frequency allocation, stressing that media services must be restricted exclusively to local channels.

The order takes effect immediately and was signed by Shirwan Awla Khurshid, General Director at the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

Public Pressure and Media Criticism

Public anger has intensified in recent weeks over what many Kurds describe as hostile and misleading narratives by certain Arab satellite channels, particularly regarding developments in Syria and Rojava. Social media campaigns have called on the KRG to close the offices of these channels and halt their broadcasting within the Kurdistan Region.

Although the official order does not explicitly name specific networks, officials and observers say the move aligns with growing public and political pressure to counter what is seen as anti-Kurdish media narratives.