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# Reporting in conflict zones - The Kurdish Digital Media E-book by Botan International
- URL: https://www.botantimes.com/reporting-in-conflict-zones/
- Published: 2023-01-11T12:33:41.000Z
- Updated: 2023-01-11T12:33:41.000Z
- Author: Botan Times
- Tags: English, #Migrated-1779046941970, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-05-17 22:43

*\* This article was published in the *Kurdish Digital Journalism* e-book of Botan International. You can read the entire [Kurdish e-book](http://botaninternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/book.pdf?ref=botantimes.com) and a short [English summary](http://botaninternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KDM-ENG.pdf?ref=botantimes.com).*

![](https://botantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ekran-Resmi-2023-01-11-15.40.21.png)

**Mesud Muhemmed** has made a name for himself as a  
‘conflict zone reporter’.

His ambition and courage have

taken him to several battlegrounds across Iraq and  
Syria. What drives his ambition? The words he lives  
by: “nothing in life is difficult. Remove anything that  
becomes an obstacle to reaching your goal and always  
keep your goals in front of you on sticky pads,” he says.  
Simple enough.

![](https://botantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ekran-Resmi-2023-01-11-15.32.21-1.png)

  
Reporting from conflict zones is not an easy feat by  
any stretch of the imagination, and without proper  
determination and preparation the safety and well-being  
of everyone is put into danger. “Prepare yourself for the  
worst possible scenario. Accept death as a possibility  
and embrace the fear,” says Mesud.

  
According to Mesud, any journalist that wants to report  
from conflict zones must have the following: the first  
being, a very clear intention to enter a conflict zone  
willingly knowing all the risks involved; the second, a  
purpose needs to be defined internally for the journalist;  
and lastly, the journalist must be properly prepared  
with a committed staff and proper personal protective  
equipment.

  
He recounts his past mistakes while first starting as a  
conflict zone reporter back in 2014 in the midst of the  
chaos of the war on ISIS. He says while he was in those  
conflict areas, he observed members of the international  
press and foreign agencies and their modus operandi -  
their way of operation. He says he made mental notes  
from these observations and was able to apply them  
to future excursions. “Learn from your colleagues,” he  
advises.

  
Mesud strongly emphasized the need for neutrality on  
the part of the conflict zone reporter. He listed numerous security forces he had the chance to travel with during his time reporting their victories and losses. “Just  
because I was under the security of a group that was  
completely against my political affiliation and ideology,  
didn’t mean I was in favor of their actions or beliefs.

I am a reporter and I was reporting the news,” he says.  
Mesud advises, “neutrality is important. You must  
remain civil with the group who holds your life in their  
grasp - regardless of your political affiliation.”  

Once in the conflict zone, it’s the responsibility of the  
journalist to find and report the news from a unique  
perspective. “Divê nûçe bigihînî, ne bî nûçe - You have  
to report the news, not become the news story,” he  
says. Ask questions, start conversations with members  
of the security forces whose safety you’re under, and  
gather as much information as you can to create a news  
story.  

The one point Mesud stressed repeatedly is to be safe  
and careful, and know that as the reporter you are  
responsible for the safety of your staff. “Be smart, have  
a map and know safe and strategic points, and know  
the exact areas to avoid,” he concludes.