Medya News Podcast

In her new book Alle journalistiek is activisme ("All Journalism Is Activism"), journalist Fréderike Geerdink credits Kurdish reporters—susturulamayanlar, “those who cannot be silenced”—for reshaping her understanding of power, truth, and the role of journalism. Their fearless reporting helped her move from so-called objectivity toward advocacy for justice.

Medya News’ political podcast welcomes Jan van Aken of Germany’s Left Party, a long-standing supporter of Kurdish rights, to discuss the recent peace call by Abdullah Öcalan, the PKK's dissolution, and Europe’s potential role in supporting dialogue and democratic transition in Turkey. In a powerful moment of clarity, van Aken warns: “Without Öcalan’s involvement, there will be no lasting peace.” 

Fréderike Geerdink argues that with US sanctions on Syria lifted, Turkey could pursue an economic incursion into Rojava — not with tanks, but with construction firms, telecoms and Turkish liras. Could this capitalist offensive undermine Kurdish autonomy in Northeast Syria?

In an exclusive video interview and podcast on Political Dialogue with Erem Kansoy by Medya News, Declan Kearney—National Chairperson for Sinn Féin —offers an in-depth discussion on Ireland’s long and arduous journey to self-determination while drawing striking parallels with the Kurdish struggle for freedom. 

Meghan Bodette, expert researcher and Research Director at Kurdish Peace Institute based in Washinton D.C., breaks down the shifting US policy in Syria, the future of the SDF, and the possible consequences of a US withdrawal. She warns that a premature exit could reignite conflict, embolden ISIS, and escalate tensions with Turkey.

Heike Geisweid, lawyer and co-chair of Germany's MAF-DAD Association for Democracy and Law, talks to Medya News about the upcoming Permanent People’s Tribunal Session on Rojava Against Turkey, which will be held in Brussels, to examine allegations of severe human rights violations and war crimes committed by Turkey and its allied forces in North and East Syria, known as Rojava. 

In a recent episode of 'Political Dialogue' for Medya News, hosted by journalist Erem Kansoy, human rights expert Marion Böker delved into the challenges facing Kurdish communities, the democratic model in Rojava, and the broader implications for Middle East peace.

Sinam Mohamad, US Representative of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), analyses the humanitarian situation amid fighting in Aleppo (Heleb) and Shabha (Şehba), with thousands, many already displaced Kurds, forced to flee. She stresses the need for a dialogue for peace involing all parties in Syria, including representatives of the region's minorities, and urges international support for Kurdish s...

Journalist Fréderike Geerdink reflects on Amedspor’s role as a symbol of Kurdish resistance, detailing fans’ resilience amid anti-Kurdish hostility in Turkish football. Through symbolic protests, Amedspor fans uphold Kurdish identity and challenge government oppression with unwavering solidarity. 

Hilary Zhou, a community organiser with the Zimbabwe Peoples' Land Rights Movement, spoke to Medya News about the global influence of Abdullah Öcalan's ideas and the need for the Kurdish leader's immediate freedom. 

Written in Kurmanji Kurdish, 'Lovers of Franz K.' by award-winning novelist and PEN International President Burhan Sönmez brings the long denied Kurdish culture and language alive. The author talks to journalist and poet Matt Broomfield in a recent Medya News podcast: 

In a recent podcast interview with Medya News, Lena Charlotta Lagnänder speaks to Erem Kansoy about the ‘Freedom for Öcalan, a Political Solution for the Kurdish Question’ campaign. Kansoy and Lagnänder discuss the importance of the campaign, and the possible legal avenues that could contribute to winning Öcalan’s freedom. The interview focuses on the failure of the Committee for the Prevention of...

In an exclusive interview, Dutch parliamentarian Kati Piri talks about the decision of the Dutch Parliament to block the EU's Customs Union update with Turkey in the event that European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rulings on the release of former HDP Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş and philanthropist Osman Kavala are not implemented.  

Dr. Thoreau Redcrow, a conflict analyst from the US, condemned the Western world for failing to act on the prolonged incommunicado detention of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, citing inconsistency with democratic values. 

Irish Republican Martina Anderson discusses oppression, resistance and pathways to peace, with Kurdistan expert Fréderike Geerdink.

Bedia Özgökçe Ertan, a Kurdish politician herself removed from office in Van after winning the popular vote in 2019, speaks to Medya News to discuss the government’s attempt to subvert the democratic process in the city by preventing Abdullah Zeyan from taking office. 

PACE member Kostis Efstathiou, a Greek Cypriot MP and esteemed criminal lawyer, condemns Turkey's policy of isolation imposed on PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan as 'inhumane' and an explicit form of torture. 

We should deal with the smallest problems people have. In that way, we can make them understand what Abdullah Öcalan is talking about. In our small village, we're 800 people - and we are working like that. We have a democratic, grassroots movement. Instead of going backwards, as most rural parts in Sweden do, we have developed our little village. We own our own fire department, grocery store, a lo...

"I transitioned from being an ‘objective observer’ to being an ‘advocate for social change’. That’s a perfectly legitimate position as a journalist. It’s okay to take a stance, if it’s based on knowledge and facts. It’s okay to speak out when it comes to the position of groups in society that have no institutional power. Without Kurdish media, we would all be in the dark about the daily realities...

Ögmundur Jónasson, former Interior Minister for Iceland, participated in a recent Brussels conference addressing the continued detention of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, as well as joining a recent delegation to Iraqi Kurdistan.

Medya News spoke to Mike Arnott, President of Scotland’s Trade Union Council, to discuss the long history of internationalism in the UK’s trade union movement and his union’s support for Abdullah Öcalan.

Families demanded justice for disappeared journalists Kemal Mübariz and Cüneyt Aydınlar in Turkey's Kurdish regions, while the 984th Galatasaray vigil in Istanbul sought answers for Maksut Tepeli, missing for 40 years.

In a recent podcast interview with Medya News, veteran photojournalist Mark Campbell discusses his trial and guilty verdict under the UK's Terror Act for displaying a PKK-associated flag at a 2022 protest. Campbell provides insights into the legal challenges and political implications of his case, shedding light on the broader pattern of criminalisation faced by the UK Kurdish community.

Turn into our latest podcast to hear an on-the-ground account of Turkey's series of extensive airstrikes in North and East Syria: Medya News talks to Samantha Teal from the Rojava Information Centre (RIC).