Kurdistan Ministry of Culture Warns Media Against Publishing Content That Fuels Disorder

ARK News.. The Ministry of Culture and Youth of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) issued an urgent statement on Saturday, July 18, 2026, directing all television and radio outlets to fully comply with existing laws and professional media standards while covering the region's current sensitive security situation.

The Ministry's General Directorate of Media, Printing, and Publishing urged all media organizations to exercise the highest level of accuracy in reporting on drone attacks and other security-related developments, emphasizing the importance of preserving public order and countering misinformation.

The ministry outlined four mandatory directives for media outlets:

Protect national and societal security: Refrain from publishing any unverified information, images, or videos that could spread fear among the public or undermine stability.
Rely on official sources: Obtain news and security-related information exclusively from officially authorized institutions and agencies within the Kurdistan Region.
Safeguard economic stability: Avoid sensational or exaggerated coverage that could disrupt markets, trigger consumer panic, or contribute to price increases.
Legal accountability: The ministry warned that any violation of these directives, or of the provisions contained in Instruction No. 1 of 2014, will result in immediate and strict legal action against the offending media outlet.

The statement comes in the wake of a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Erbil and other parts of the Kurdistan Region. According to the ministry, government authorities observed that some media platforms and social media accounts had circulated misleading and inaccurate information, causing public concern and negatively affecting local economic activity.

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