NEWS CENTRE- Implemented by the Association of Journalists and funded by the European Union, the Media for Democracy/Democracy for Media Project held its situation assessment meeting in Aksaray.

Lead by Association of Journalists Chairman Nazmi Bilgin, the M4D project team, Vice Chairman and M4D Project Coordinator Yusuf Kanlı and Honorary Board member Mehpare Çelik were welcomed to Aksaray University by rectorate Prof. Yusuf Şahin. Rector Şahin provided Chairman Bilgin and the project team with information regarding developments in the education system.
The team then attended the fifth “Communication Meeting” held at Aksaray University where they had the opportunity to interact with students. Association of Journalists Honorary Board Member Mehpare Çelik made the following remarks in her presentation titled “Usage of the Turkish Language in the Media”: “Language cannot be politicized; it is a living phenomenon. In order to protect your homeland, you need to protect your language. People must educate their children about their mother tongue from an early age to increase awareness”.
An internet law must be issued
In the situation assessment meeting held at the Aksaray Teacher’s Lodge, many journalists expressed that although there is a significant number of local journalists most of them lack sufficient qualification. Students on the other hand, complained about how most young people are not interested in journalism as a profession anymore. Association of Journalists Chairman Nazmi Bilgin pointed out that an internet law must be issued, the legalization of publication sources would be a positive development. Bilgin said “There has never been a time where the press was in such a state. The same is true for the local press, as well. Newspaper sales have dropped significantly, too. People say this has been due to the internet, but that’s not true. Online journalism has affected sales by 24% in the US, 21% in Europe and these figures drop even lower in Japan. In this context, newspaper sales have declined by 80% in Turkey, according to the Press Advertising Authority Turkey’s largest newspaper Hürriyet’s sales are around 90 thousand  Therefore, it is of great importance to take necessary precaution against the distrust journalism now faces, rather than online journalism”.
If official advertisements are removed half of the newspapers in Anatolia will have to shut down
Claiming that the problems of the Anatolian press are not discussed Bilgin said “If official advertisements are removed, half of the newspapers in Anatolia will have to shut down.  The paper crisis in local media and the issue of official announcements are headed by illegal online publications. It is very important that laws regulating online publication are put in place. One should not forget that where there is pluralism there is democracy; journalists and professional organizations must come together and unite”. Association of Journalists Vice Chairman and M4D Project Director Yusuf Kanlı gave information about the current and future supports of the project.