Journalists Tell the Journalism in Turkey

Conference of Freedom of the Media and the Journalists’ Rights titled “Turkey: To defend the rights and freedom of journalists in a polarized country” was held on September 17 at Nippon Hotel in İstanbul by Journalists' Union of Turkey (TGS), Journalists’ Association of Turkey (TGC), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and European Federation of Journalists (EFJ).

TGS President Uğur Güç, IFJ President Jim Boumelha, European Union’s Delegation of Turkey Political Affairs, Press and Information Department Vice President Andreea Schmidt and TGC President Turgay Olcayto made the opening speech.

Journalists Burcu Karakaş, Şirin Payzın, Kadri Gürsel and Barış İnce were speakers while Ragıp Duran started the first session of the conference.

Duran: The law has never been abused so much before in Turkey

Ragıp Duran:

“I think the violation of the law and order is the most important thing lately because the law has never been abused so much before in Turkey except the time of Independence Tribunals (eight special courts founded during the Turkey’s War of Independence to prosecute those who were against the system of the government). Journalists can’t execute their jobs. We have a media which soaked in politics.”

Payzın: Getting somebody’s opinion becomes a crime nowadays

Journalist and TV host Şirin Payzın:

"We shouldn’t take column writers that threaten us seriously since they want to promote themselves by attacking us. One of the main missions of a journalist is getting people’s opinions but it becomes a crime nowadays. Moreover, it is perceived as a terrorist offense.”

Karakaş: Mainstream media doesn’t give importance to journalism

Recently dismissed from Milliyet Daily, Burcu Karakaş:

Mainstream media doesn’t give importance to journalism. Our seniors don’t appreciate our efforts. There are economic problems; you don’t have social insurance and you don’t earn much.

"Approach against Kurdish Media didn’t change at all. We know that Kurdish media was all alone. I think we say something about it. They shouldn’t be alone.”

İnce: Journalists should be defended legally

Barış İnce from BirGün Daily:

"After 1980 Coup d’etat, capitalists captured the media. If we don’t discuss the media proprietors, we won’t be free from the oppression. All journalists should be defended legally, I suppose.

“Resist together and change the society together or down with the ship together...”

Gürsel: We shouldn’t be afraid

Kadri Gürsel:

"We shouldn’t be afraid of death threats or lynching campaigns. The ruling party afraids journalists far too much.” (UŞ/EA/BD)

 Click here to read the article in Turkish