Qayssar R. Ahmed began his work as a journalist after receiving his degree in media. He is the co-founder and director of Radio Dangi NWE, a community radio for youth and women. Qayssar is also the founder of the radio program 'Refugees to Refugees', a program for Syrian and Internationally Displaced People (IDP's) who fled Kurdistan during the Syrian war. He joined and is a member of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate and the International Federation of Journalists with hopes of creating a civil society that respects individual rights and the freedom of expression. 

2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: Digitization Journalism and Expanding Freedom of Expression

The project was dedicated solely to journalism and for journalists in the Halabja Province for digitizing journalism and expanding freedom of expression. Through this project, Qayssar created an online website to serve as a central database for journalists, with individual profiles and bios for each journalist. He produced 15 training videos from various media experts, published on this website, for the purpose of improving journalists’ skills. Additionally, 25 journalists attended a 3-day training on digital journalism, journalistic ethics, maintaining digital security, identifying fake news, and working independently to allow for freedom of expression in journalism. Please visit for more information: https://homeofjournalists.com/home

“After participating in the training, I learned many new things...including distinguishing fake news...and maintaining the security of the devices I use such as computers, smartphones and their applications.” - Training Participant

2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Journalism Courses on Investigative Reporting and Fake News

A number of issues have been identified relating to journalism in Halabja. Violent social media news that disregards journalistic ethics and misinformation regarding coronavirus are common. This project held theoretical courses in navigating journalism through an academic and scientific lense for journalists from television, radio, online news sources and students.

The project trained 108 journalists and students over the course of 6 sessions on recognizing fake news, investigative reporting, and several other important and necessary topics for their field. The project also included 7 radio programs that delved further into these topics for a public audience. 

Check out his project here: https://chmk.org/ku/four-journalistic-trainings-for-promoting-kurdish-professional-capability/?fbclid=IwAR2B6HWgyOfQLcDk8OMR9QcvPC_ya2k6HHktR7ZO61fYKg64CiARXtjXD_g

IVLP Exchange Experience

Qayssar Ahmed was a participant in the IVLP Project Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists – Media Responsibility in an Age of Disinformation in 2021, organized by the U.S. Department of State and FHI 360. He was a participant in the IVLP Project Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists - New and Traditional Broadcast Media II in 2022, organized by the U.S. Department of State and American Councils for International Education (ACIE).

Qayssar's exchange experience led him to develop his IVLP Impact Award Project: "IVLP motivated me to love my work and pursue a deeper understanding of journalism."

U.S. Communities Visited in 2022

Phoenix, AZ; Washington, DC; Tampa, FL; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually in 2021

Huntsville, AL; Washington, DC; Tampa, FL, Minneapolis, MN; Columbia, SC

Country: Iraq

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