Article 301: Liability for National Assembly

Journalists' Association of Turkey's (TGC) ceremony for 2006 Merit Awards has been held in Ataturk Cultural Center, which recently came to public attention with government's controversial decision to demolish.

Speaking at the opening of the ceremony, TGC chair Orhan Erinç said the speech he made at last years' awards ceremony is still valid: "Journalists are blamed for everything, they're tamed by legal penalties and practices which resemble to pressure certain media groups still persist".

A change in the infamous article 301 of the Penal Code is a must for this National Assembly's integrity, he said. Erinç also criticized the lack of application fo the changes made on the Press Law in 2004.

Many local administrators and NGO representatives attended the ceremony. A television programme shown at the venue, which honored the late Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink has been received with emotions by the audience.

Ömer Madra of Acik Radyo received the Nezih Demirkent Award for continuous programming on environmental issues and effects of global warming specifically.

CNNTurk correspondent Murat Utku has been honored for his work during Israeli occupation of Lebanon.

Milliyet daily's web team received the Internet journalism award while prominent cartoonist Semih Balcioğlu who passed away recently has been honored with yet another title.

Hurriyet daily columnist Ahmet Hakan, Milliyet daily reporter Lube Ayar, Hurriyet daily reporter Aslı Sözbilir also received awards on political reporting and comments by their articles.

Cumhuriyet daily economy news team received an award for a series on Turkey's problems in agriculture. Environment-Education-Health news award went to Milliyet reporter Burcum Devrez.

Culture and Arts news award went to Yavuz Rençberler from Sabah daily while Yasemin Arpa of ntvmsnbc news portal, Semih Gümüşel from aktüel weekly, Vatan daily sports service, Milliyet reporter Belma Akçura, Hurriyet daily reporter Ersin Kalkan, Milliyet commentator Mehmet Demirkol and Hurriyet graphics designer Nihat Uğurlu have also been awarded by the press organization.

Milliyet daily photographer Serdar Özsoy, Anka News Agency and Takvim daily photographer Alpar Yurtsever received photography merit awards.

TV news award went to Yunus Şen of NTV, Handan Özsoy and Zekiye Kaçak from the same station as well as Lütfi Özarslan from TRT and CNNTurk's Alp Özgen and Doğan News Agency cameraperson Mustafa Dalgacı have been honoured.

Lastly, radio news programme of the year award went to Kenan Bölükbaş, Ali Fuat Sönmez and Gülay Aktar from TRT.(EÖ/EÜ)