‘Self-Regulation in Media’ Discussed in Joint Conference by Press Council, UNESCO

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The Press Council of Turkey and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have organized a joint conference on "Importance of Self-Regulation in Media" and "Self-Regulation in Digital Age." Held in İstanbul yesterday (March 7), the conference was attended by a large number of academics and journalists from Turkey and abroad.

Giving presentations at the conference, media representatives underlined the importance of press councils in tackling the problems faced by journalists in doing ethical journalism and realizing self-regulation.

Journalists and academics emphasized that in order to increase the credibility of the media and turn it into the fourth estate in real terms, it is indispensable to abide by the ethical rules.

7 speeches in 2 sessions

In the morning session of the conference, "the Importance of Self-Regulation in Media" was discussed. Accordingly, after the opening speech of Pınar Türenç, the Chair of Press Council of Turkey, UNESCO Representative Adeline Hulin spoke on "a Comparative Study on the Functions and Operation of Press Councils in Europe", Dr. R. Murat Önok, a Lecturer from Koç University and Second Chair of Press Council, made a speech on "The History and Functioning of Press Council in Turkey and Current Challenges" and Doğan Şentürk, the Chief Editor of Fox News, gave a presentation on "Reporting News on Television and Ethical Challenges Encountered."

In the second session of the conference on "Self-Regulation in Digital Age", the following speeches were made: "Right to Information in Digital Age" by Assoc. Prof. Güçlü Akyürek from MEF University; "Importance of Solidarity for Establishing Ethical Journalism and Self-Regulation in Turkey and the World" by Founder and President of Ethical Journalism Network Aiden White; "Use of Algorithms in Media and Related Ethical Issues" by Chair of Press Council of Finland Elina Grundsröm; "Making News in Internet Environment in Turkey" by Oda TV Editor-in-Chief Barış Pehlivan.

Türenç: "Dark clouds above media do not part"

In her opening speech, Press Council Chair Pınar Türenç said,

"The dark clouds above the media of Turkey do not part. Journalists cannot practice their profession due to fear, pressure and self-censorship.

"The destruction caused by political pressure continues after the State of Emergency as well. I find it difficult to discuss self-regulation in media when almost 120 journalists are behind bars in Turkey.

"While more than 14 thousand journalists are unemployed, we know that the ones who are employed are nervous. While punishments are raining over words, I would like to greet my women journalist friends from here on the occasion of March 8 International Women's Day."

Hulin: "Press councils are important for media ethics"

Speaking on press councils across Europe and their differences and similarities in terms of their functions and operation, Adeline Hulin from the UNESCO emphasized the importance of press councils in establishing and embracing ethical rules in the media.

In her speech, Hulin also underlined that though press councils are formed with the participation of media organizations, journalists and the public, their structures vary from country to country, depending on their traditions.

Şentürk: "We must talk about life safety of journalists"

Doğan Şentürk from Fox TV also stated, "I think we need to talk about the life safety of journalists now, rather than the freedom of press. If you do not place the conscience of journalists at the top of the news desks, the power would come and occupy them. The authority would be a law unto itself."

Şentürk also added, "Political leaders in Turkey could openly target a media worker. We are all aware of the tragic point that we have come to."

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Akyürek: "ECtHR deems press guardian of democracy"

Speaking in the second session of the conference, Assoc. Prof. Güçlü Akyürek reiterated that the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) recognizes the press as the guardian of democracy and emphasized that the freedom of information is the starting point of freedom of expression.

White: "Journalism cannot be done for propaganda"

In his speech on the "Importance of Solidarity for Establishing Ethical Journalism and Self-Regulation", Aiden White from the Ethical Journalism Network referred to the companies such as Facebook and Google in his speech and underlined the importance of "keeping the companies publishing news free of charge under a legal control."

"Journalism is not a profession that can be practiced for propaganda. Journalists work for the benefit of the people", Aiden White further stated. (HA/SD)