\Sulaimani, September 24th, 2025: Metro Center says that today's statement of the Kurdistan Regional Government spokesman about Rudaw and Channel 8 shows the increase in obstacles to freedom of information and journalism and violation of journalistic laws and hospitality ethics.

Today at a press conference, the KRG spokesman was asked by Ayub Wartey, a reporter from Channel 8, about why Rudaw was not present, "They will be present when I feel that there are professional obligations, one day you may not be at our conferences either," he replied.

The government spokesman's response is a threat to all other channels that do not cover government news according to the spokesman's professional standards, including Channel 8, and emphasizes the underestimation of the journalism law that allows journalists to attend conferences and public events.

It is not the job of the spokesperson to use his position for threats and discrimination in his conferences, his role is to facilitate the transmission of information in a transparent manner, free from discrimination and marginalization based on hatred and differences of opinion.

According to information that Metro has, Rudaw was invited to the conference, but after they arrived, they were told not to set their microphones.

This behavior is not only a violation of the law of journalism, but also contrary to the etiquette of hosting journalists, which also raises the question that Rudaw doesn’t work according the KRG spokesman’s professional standards. When you invite them, why don't you let them set their microphone in front of you?

Metro Center says that today's statement of the Kurdistan Regional Government spokesman about Rudaw and threats against Channel 8 show the increase in the means of obstructing freedom of the press and information, it is also against the law of journalism and the ethics of hosting journalists for official activities.