CHMK, Kurdistan Region: The recommendations from the First and Second CHMK National Forums on Media Reform have become the focal point of an international academic study.
In Volume 03, Issue 04 of the ISRG Journal of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences—published by the International Scientific Research Group (ISRG)—a peer-reviewed research paper titled “Towards Media Reform in the Post-Conflict Kurdistan Region: An Analytical Study of the Situation of National Conferences” has been featured. The journal, which has an impact score of 5.4, releases issues every two months and maintains a rigorous review process for all accepted articles.
Over recent years, the Kurdish Media Watchdog Organization (CHMK.org), in cooperation with the University of Sulaimani and with the media sponsorship of Kirkuk TV, has organized two national conferences on media reform. The first was held on June 10, 2021, and the second on May 26–27, 2025. Each event concluded with a set of important recommendations addressed to legislative, executive, and judicial bodies, as well as to civil society organizations, journalists, and media institutions.
According to the study’s findings, the 2021 Forum emphasized the creation of organizational, structural, and legal frameworks to elevate professional standards in journalism. Building on these foundations, the 2025 conference expanded the scope towards practical implementation, engaging a wider range of government sectors and civil society stakeholders. This shift encompassed continued legal and governmental reforms, the modernization of educational curricula, and the institutional restructuring of the media sector. The progression from the first to the second forum reflects a strategic evolution—from fundamental critique towards the consolidation of sustainable institutional mechanisms that strengthen legal and organizational structures, enhance journalistic professionalism, promote inclusive education, and foster ongoing dialogue among diverse actors. This transition marks a significant step in bridging the gap between theory and practice, moving from conceptual frameworks toward pragmatic governance in media reform.
The full English version of the study is available at:
https://isrgpublishers.com/…/08/ISRGJAHSS1001672025.pdf
