SULTAN YAVUZ – Funded by the European Union and implemented by the Association of Journalists “Media for Democracy/Democracy for Media” programme hosted journalist Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu at the Press House, in Ankara. Yazıcıoğlu shared her twenty-one year experience in journalism in her presentation “Journalism Practices in Ankara”.
Mentioning the “Ankara School” of journalism and how the media sector around the world are formed in their respective capital cities Yazıcıoğlu said that journalism in Turkey developed in Bâbıali in Istanbul, and Rüzgarlı street in Ankara. Yazicioglu underlined that journalism in Ankara coincided with the National Struggle period and said:
“What we now call “Ankara journalism” was founded on Ankara’s and Anatolia’s need to express itself to the world. The Anatolian Agency was established during this time, and the Nafi Family founded the Cumhuriyet newspaper. Many newspapers were established at that time. During the multi-party period in 1950, Hürriyet and Milliyet newspapers were also founded in Ankara. Today, we always see journalists from Ankara in managerial positions. These people served as Ankara representatives and went to Istanbul as news directors or editors. You can see the influence of Ankara journalism on the Istanbul media. Most of the news production comes from Ankara. Unfortunately, Ankara offices, which were once more powerful and crowded, are in a grave situation today ”

“The Ankara school is a news-based school; not press release based”
Yazıcıoğlu stated that the main difference between Ankara and Istanbul journalism is how they approach news and said “The Ankara school is a news-based school; it is not press release based”. Yazıcıoğlu, compared the two traditions by telling an anecdote and said the following about journalists receiving gifts:
“A friend from Istanbul was assigned to Milliyet as an economy reporter in Istanbul. One New Year’s Day my friend said 'Where are all the gifts?' I didn't understand what they had meant. According to my friend, gifts from different institutions would come to the secretary's desk in Istanbul and were shared. I told my friend there was a calendar and notebook. I didn't quite understand what they had meant, because it's not something I'm familiar with. I said, “We don’t get gifts like that.” 'the Ankara Chamber of Commerce and some embassies send pens, datebooks and calendars. People who need them can take them.” This question about gifts portrays the difference between these two approaches. Because that gift does not come for nothing, they are sent by PR companies. Another question my friend asked was about bulletins. Bulletins received by journalists in Ankara give the time and date of the event. That’s what we understand from the word bulletin. In Istanbul journalism, on the other hand, the understanding is content news from a bulletin, with captioned photographs. That is why there is an Ankara School”
“Ankara journalists take the bus”
Yazıcıoğlu noted that the Ankara press is focused on creating the news; due to Ankara being a capital city the journalistic process involves the state, politicians, the military, learning and relearning about Anatolia.
Pointing out the importance of knowing the history and structure of the state, Yazıcıoğlu said that she still uses the information she learned while she was a student at the Faculty of Communication in Ankara, she also remarked that students’ attitudes to “what good will this information do me?” is wrong. Yazcıoğlu said, “This is related to how you use information. I was a student between 1994-98 and I took courses about the constitution, law, administrative law, history of the press, political science etc. I used all of this information in my profession. For example, you learn how administrative law has shaped Turkey, or you can better understand changes in the Constitution.”
Stating that politics is a daily affair, Yazıcıoğlu remarked that the Ankara school has a good grasp of current affairs and added “I find claims such as “I’m apolitical, I’m not interested in politics” to be wrong. Such claims would mean that the person who said this is on the side of the liberal agenda that has incorporated this idea. Politics exist in all areas of life. Even my presence here is a political choice. In the current situation, politics is even more vital. You have no chance to say 'I will stay away'. You cannot avoid this in a power mechanism that decides on how many children you will have, under what conditions you will work in the public. Ankara journalism is the best school that follows political affairs.”
Due to the General Staff and the defence industry being located in Ankara, journalists here know a lot about these topics remarked Yazıcıoğlu. She added that Ankara journalists are well acquainted with Anatolia, as well: “The Ankara journalist uses the bus, has an idea about Iğdır, Yozgat, Hakkâri, if he cannot go, he learns or reads from those who have been there. For example in the past in Central Anatolia, which is the bastion of conservatism, you could eat soup during Ramadan in restaurants with windows covered in newspaper. Nowadays this doesn’t exist anymore, you need to know where to eat. ”

“Professional friendships bring with them information sharing”
Yazıcıoğlu pointed out that one of the cornerstones of Ankara journalism is its ability to reach information and said that it is widely known here where to get information from. Pointing out that validating information and scepticism have gained importance especially when producing political news, Yazıcıoğlu emphasized the role of solidarity during this process. Yazıcıoğlu said the following about her colleagues in Ankara “We all produce news in the same place, so we know each other well. Even if we don't physically recognize each other we recognize each other’s signature; because we follow each other's news. Professional friendships bring with them information sharing. Especially in the age of the internet, where information flows rapidly professional solidarity becomes important in verifying news.”
According to Yazıcıoğlu, journalists from the Ankara School assume more roles in moderating, and journalists who are involved with the news everyday are much more perceptive. Having covered many events such as demonstrations, union news and NGOs, Yazıcıoğlu mentioned that journalists in Ankara love the word “back-stage”.
Yazıcıoğlu also shared the following:
“Usually news about the back-stage of politics is not published, but the journalist wants to know about it. Even if we know the private life of politicians, we don't write about because we don't see it as part of the news. We are different form the press in Istanbul in this regard,too… For example, we knew about the opposition leader's long-standing affair, it didn’t not surprise us that it suddenly emerged. We do not think such things are in interest of the public.
The decision to write or not to write about a subject depends on the situation, if someone says “off the record” then you have to respect that. Any information discussed in a meeting that isn’t of public interest is not incorporated in the news. For example, we do not think that it is newsworthy if Aydın Doğan meets journalists in Ankara, but in Istanbul it’s published 10 minutes after the meeting.”
 

“Like a big family… ”
Yazicioglu said journalists coming from Uğur Mumcu’s school are active in Ankara, albeit limitedly, and added a few comments about solidarity among journalists:
“For example, on October 1 when parliament opens, or on April 23 we all gather for a group photo, cameramen, reporters, everyone comes. It’s like a big family, people share because they know they need each other. No matter which institution they work for, nobody discriminates against each other. Ankara journalism is about team work, team work gives you strength and compensates for anything you might lack. Everyone used to know each other's news, there were meetings where the agenda was discussed. Nowadays there are trust issues between people working in the same bureau…”
Yazicioglu said the following about “militant journalists”, which she defined as journalists whose political ideas permeate their work: “There are journalists who feel the need to act as trolls on social media, or defend those in power. This is true for every party, whether that be AKP, CHP, HDP or MHP. It is not right to practise the profession in this way.”
Yazıcıoğlu also stated she didn’t believe journalists can be one hundred percent objective: “But journalists should give equal say to each party in order to preserve the truth. Instead of calling it objectivity, we could call it as being just. We can think of it as giving voice to different news ”.
 

Master-apprentice relationship
Yazicioglu stated that the Ankara school is based on a master-apprentice relationship and that she too has passed through this treatment but recently this has not been the case. Yazicioglu said:
“You learn experience not from books, but from unwritten sources. There were many people I would consider to be masters of their fields working in Cumhuriyet and Milliyet newspapers, they showed us what to watch to for, what to focus on. Actually, they wouldn’t even tell you. You would have to follow them around to learn.
Asking questions was also part of the tradition, everyone could ask questions, but unfortunately today, especially the youth do not ask questions. Both the government and the opposition no longer permit questions or only permit questions to those who are considered to be favourable. I think political ideology shouldn’t affect journalists to this extent. I think Istanbul has surrendered to militant journalism.
Ankara journalism has a tradition of journalistic principles and ethical values. The situation has changed, but there are still many people resisting, even in the so-called pool media. Because even the pool media needs people who were trained in this tradition.”