BIA² 2006 Rights Reporting Awards have been granted to Yuksekova Habers Necip Capraz in the field of local media, Radikals Timur Soykan in the field of mainstream media and to Aycin Gelir and Eylem Tuna in the field of communications students.

Speaking at the Independent Media Forum, Topuz says individual media networks are important. Castellanos: Reporting needs gender equality. Eryilmaz: Mainstream media journalists can make a difference. Duran: Journalism is a profession of adversary.

What kind of a media? is bianets runup question before this weekends International Independent Media Forum. Local media producers want less dependence on official advertisement profits, more independence in reporting.

Human Rights Foundation chair Onen condemns the attack on 30 lawyers who went to Justice Hall to file for damages against Justice Minister Cicek. Says arbitrary action by police not in line with a state of law, asks for investigation.

Ankara court acquits Egitim-Sen union chairman Dincer and 6 unionists on charges of staging an outlawed meeting in 2004 where they were accused of provoking the people to gather and rally illegally.

The Istanbul International Independent Media Forum has been introduced to participants and observers at a meeting held at Hill Hotel. Savio, Casagrande, Ferguson, Iskandaryan, Alankus, Kurkcu, Mater, Sinar, Jaura and many others attend press conference.

Total objector Tarhan says Media supports war. It has to be known that people are killed. Author Magden: Opportunity for peace receives a strong blow with military expressions. Academic Altinay: They are marginalizing peace.

Local journalists who covered the killing of an 11-year-old Kurdish girl by security forces in September are being investigated under article 301 for publicly denigrating the military and police establishment.

Istanbul court acquits 92-year-old researcher and writer Cig and her publisher Ogutcu in a case where they were charged with inciting hatred and enemity and committing denigration. DISK applauds the verdict, Columnist Gureli thinks that it gives hope.

Chief of Staff Military Prosecution drops investigation into retired general Altay Tokat who publicly confessed to organizing covert street bombings in the southeast. Case of shaking confidence in commanders to be heard at a civilian court.

Study on sexual harassment and rape under detention shows several hundred victims of violence under custody in 9 years. At least 236 women sought legal support in the said period where 70 women were raped in detention and 166 others were sexually harassed

Selek: Communication networks that spread like viruses have to be developed. Demir: A media that does not ignore women is needed. Prof. Dr. Sirman: We need to enter the political arena; Guncikan: Alternative channels have to be created.