Call to Journalists at the Media Solidarity Meeting: “The Pen is the Conscience of the People, It Cannot Be Sold with Money”

The Media Solidarity Meeting, where press freedom and pressures on the media were discussed, was held with the participation of professional organizations, journalists and media representatives.

“Journalism is the Foundation of Democracy”

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, the participants thanked the journalists who worked for the public's right to receive news even under difficult conditions.

Media in Its Most Difficult Period

Stating that many newspapers and television channels have recently been closed and more than 500 journalists have become unemployed, he said, "The media is going through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Solidarity against this situation is both meaningful and necessary."

“The Truth about Journalists Who Cannot Work”

Participants emphasized that the reality of not only working journalists but also "journalists who cannot work" can no longer be ignored.

Economic and Political Pressures Are Increasing

In the statement, it was stated that the government was trying to control the media through economic and political means.

Advertising Inequality of 14 Million 810 Thousand Seconds

According to the shared data, in the first ten months of 2025, 14 million 810 thousand 298 seconds of advertisements were given to pro-government television channels from companies within the SDIF.

“Censorship and the Danger of Self-Censorship”

It was emphasized that journalists began to practice self-censorship for fear of being targeted or punished.

Decline in Press Freedom

It was reminded that Turkey fell to 159th place among 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.

“The Pen is the Conscience of the People”

At the meeting, journalists were given a symbolic pen as a gift and said, "The pen is the conscience of the people, it cannot be sold with money."

“New Generation Politics and Clean Media”

Pointing out that the language used in politics directly affects the media climate, he said, "If the political language is clean, the media will also be clean. Clean politics means clean media and clean law."

The meeting ended by listening to the problems reported by the participants from the field.

Kaynak: CUMHA - CUMHUR HABER AJANSI