Journalism Archives - Page 31 of 33

Andrés Mourenza: Transcaucasia Express

November 18, 2009 by erkan

111620093081 — Andres speaks about his book at Cervantes Institute

I have met Andrés a few months ago offline although I knew him for a while online. He is based in Istanbul, a Spanish journalist who has a good regional knowledge background. This cordial guy has released a book entitled as a Transcaucasia Express (in Spanish), which can be downloaded here:

The book is about his roadtrip to Armeania to watch the football game between Turkey and Armenia. When he couldn’t find a plane ticket to Erevan, he and his friends had decided to take a road trip and this is the story of it. (Yes, one can fly from Istanbul to Turkey but cannot directly drive to Armenia because land border is closed. So one has to go through Georgia to reach Armenia.. )

the 71st Anniversary of Atatürk's Death

November 10, 2009 by erkan

last updated: 11 Nov 2009, 12:30

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881?10 November 1938) was a Turkish army officer, revolutionary statesman, and founder of the Republic of Turkey as well as its first President.

Today’s most Atatürkist newspaper first pages: 🙂

cumhuriyet

A success day for Turkish cybersphere

October 30, 2009 by erkan

Web based Turkish journalism sites’ representatives were invited to Presidential reception for the Republic’s 86th anniversary yesterday as note here.

A list of invitees:

Haber3.com

Aktif Haber

En Son Haber
Gazeteport
Haber7
HABERTÜRK
haberciler.com
Haber Vitrini

Haber X

İnternethaber

MEDYATAVA
Sonsayfa
Süper Poligon
Türk Time

A roundup on journalism and cyberculture follows:

Live from 17th Annual EU ? Turkey Conference of Journalists at Bilgi U.

October 16, 2009 by erkan

Turkey's chief negotiatior Egemen Bağıs also attends the meeting

All coverage is through Erkan’s filtering/paraphrasing. Please be careful in quoting. I strongly recommend to get actual transcripts instead of relying my interpretative quotation style. And I am not particularly good at concentrated listening!

(Participants in alphabetical order: Mehmet Altan (Star), Murat Belge (Taraf), Florence Biedermann (AFP, Fransa), Abdülhamit Bilici (Zaman / Cihan Haber Ajansı), Mehmet Ali Birand (Posta / Milliyet/ HDN / Kanal D), Eyüp Can (Referans), Cansu Çamlıbel (Hürriyet), Evangelos Demiris (Athens News Agency, Yunanistan), Konstanty Gebert (Gazeta Wyborcza, Polonya), Rolf Gustavsson (Svenska Dagbladet, İsveç), Emil Hurezeanu (Realitatea-Catavencu, Romanya), John Peet (The Economist, Birleşik Krallık), Bernardo de Miguel Renedo (Cinco Dias, İspanya) ve Michael Thumann (Die Zeit, Almanya).

This is post in progress.

Pierini: 60 European journalists are brought to Turkey and 60 Turkish ones sent this year.

Bağış: M.Pierini is the Good French after Pierini’s positive remarks towards TR’s membership – [He always does that (E.S)]
Turkey is member of every European organizations except the EU.
[Praise of Istanbul, multicultural etc. happening in every panel now:)]

Broadband: a legal right!

October 15, 2009 by erkan

Broadband Internet is Now a Legal Right in Finland

from Mashable! by Stan Schroeder

The EU Parliament has on several occasions stated that access to the Internet is one of basic human rights. Now, Finland has become the first country to actually declare fast (broadband) Internet access a legal right.

"Speech for the Council of Europe Cross-Border Internet, Consultation meeting (Strasbourg)

October 11, 2009 by erkan

Speech for the Council of Europe Cross-Border Internet, Consultation meeting (Strasbourg)

This speech will be delivered in Strasbourg on Thursday, 08 October, 2009

Intervention Speech for the Cross-Border Internet: Consultation meeting organised by the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 8-9 October 2009
By Dr. Yaman Akdeniz, Associate Professor in Law, Faculty of Law, Istanbul Bilgi University.

It is a great honour to be here today in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe, and to be very close to the European Court of Human Rights. For me, as an academic working in the field of human rights and new media, in particular with regards to legal and policy issues surrounding the Internet since the mid 1990s, the role of both the Council, and the European Court has been crucially important.

and more from cyberspace:

Erkan's live from the World Bank/ IMF meetings

October 6, 2009 by erkan

A live coverage from the inside and a post to be updated continously- updates just below the photo

A new turn in Erkan's Field Diary history. Receiving official invitation to press room...

The Meetings has an officially blog-style site for photos, videos and other informative stuff.

World Bank Meetings Center
Information about the World Bank meetings and events

In the opening talk, Mr. Erdoğan also hinted at protests outside underlining the fact that global economic life is hard and protests are not totally unjustified. Protests in Taksim, very close to meeting center. I have now a post on protest roundup. And all other media roundup on meetings updated in yet another post.

Glad to make it to the press room with his Lamb of God sweatshirt, unshaved face and hangover mood; not stopped by police for being a potential protester.

Policemen around were very polite maybe because of I did conform the image of an ordinary journalist. Private security guards are less polite by the way. Towards the evening, I had one or two occasions where I had to threaten back because of the latters’ rudeness. (But of course, policemen vs. protesters is another case)

Google Wave- the new goody?

October 4, 2009 by erkan

It seems that Google offers us a new goody to play with. I saw some Turkish tech bloggers are using the trial versions and they seem to be happy. Well, I am waiting its arrival. There also a round up follows on cybercultural stuff..

Google Wave closer to breaking

by Jennifer Lush

The Google Wave is one step closer to breaking after the announcement that invitations would be sent to some 100,000 developers, business and university customers and first-time users to preview the service.

A ‘wave’, which is a browser-based tool that is ‘shared, live and in equal parts conversation and document’, has created a particular buzz amongst journalists who see the opportunities that combining email, instant messaging and real-time interaction, opens up. It could very well change the way journalists currently work.

Hülya Avşar and Ceylan Önkol; ending up in the same, Kurdish narrative…

October 2, 2009 by erkan

After some disappointing and unnecessary remarks, a popular culture icon, Hülya Avşar was interviewed in Milliyet and this ended up with an investigation.

Challenge for Infamous Prosecutor: BIA Quotes Avşar Interview
Bakırköy Public Prosecutor Ali Çakır’s investigation against Hülya Avşar and Devrim Sevimay has nothing to do with “justice”. This abuse of public power under the pretense of the “Kurdish Initiative” is nothing else but mobbing against the two women. We are protesting.

In the mean time, a scandal might be developing:

A Facebook group accusing military forces in the local area

“The family of a girl killed by a mortar shell fired from an unknown location overlooking the village of Şenlik in Diyarbakır province has asked how it can request an investigation into her death when there are no state authorities in the area…VIA

Diyarbakır Chief Prosecutor Durdu Kavak has said that two bomb experts are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ceylan Önkol in the village of Şenlik in Diyarbakır province following her family’s allegations that there were no state authorities in the area to provide assistance. VIA

A few more words on the "Kurdish Opening"

September 12, 2009 by erkan

Well, Turkish political agenda is full of new openings and summer was not a vacation time. Alas, I was in a sort of vacation and thus missed blogging about these openings (and crises, of course).

Brief ideas on the Kurdish opening:

1) High officials in the Turkish army backs the gov’t move. Without that backing, I do not believe AKP would be courageos enough to declare the move.

2) In the last elections, AKP realized that there is no way it can win hearts of CHP voting masses in Western, and Southern parts of Anatolia. Plus, despite the dose of rising nationalism, AKP lost votes to nationalist MHP in Central Anatolian towns. On the other hand, in Kurdish lands, AKP has a real chance. This opening may win some extra votes. This opening might be a "revenge" against nationalist Turks.

3) Nationalist reactions stayed at a ridiculous level. MHP leader’s too angry rhetoric reaches to absurdity instead of substantive opposition. CHP is already in an absurd situation since it now rejects what it had proposed as solution to Kurdish crisis decades ago…

Turkish army officers salute flag-covered coffin of Orhan Kilic, one of nine Turkish soldiers killed by Kurdish rebels of the Kurdistan Workers Party or PKK at the Turkey-Iraq border two days ago, during a funeral service at the Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009.

(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

But of course, those opposing the opening, were quick to manipulate the funeral of killed Turkish soldiers… No surprise; hawks of both sides do not like an opening.

In the mean time, another opening comes with the Armenian side. And yet another comes with the EU as the wise men talk. Unfortunately, the gov’t scores miserably against the media. Even I am getting angry with gov’t moves against the Doğan Media Group. All about these can be found below…

Between social integration and political dissociation: Turkey’s Kurdish issue perception (1) by TAHA ÖZHAN

On Sept. 11, Armenian massacres, butterflies, the caliphate and the EU

by ORHAN KEMAL CENGİZ

Turkey hopeful on Armenia border

Turkey hopes to open its border with Armenia by the end of the year after the two countries announced they would sign accords to help end a century of hostility

"Why anthropologists should become journalists

March 12, 2009 by erkan

Check out Lorenz’s post to learn why:)

"Pressure on Turkish Press"

March 10, 2009 by erkan

1. It is certain that PM Erdoğan is not good at handling the media, his is a PR disaster. Or this is a matter of perspective; ordinary AKP voters and even some others who are uneasy with DMG for ages believe he is treating DMG just as it deserves. Thus it is a PR success. It depends on who is the target.

2. In a more abstract democratic level, however, political authority must not target the media. Even if the authority has valid reasons, media should still be given autonomy. Unfortunately, AKP instigated huge tax fine is a violation of that autonomy.

3. PM Erdoğan is right: DMG acted like an opposition party. But in a country where opposition is so weak, media can assume that role. A powerful government should have accepted that. This does not fit in objectivism ideology in journalism but who cares? Objectivism was never around.

4. But if DMG assumes a political role, then it will have to accept the consequences. A political struggle will create some sorts of wounds. I would still not support a government pressure but i would not be surprised if there pressure since this becomes a field of political struggle.

5. Is a businessman, Aydın Doğan, ready or desiring such a struggle? I am not sure. Ideologically motivated senior journalists are leading the fight, I believe, as some like Fehmi Koru claim. It is never good for business to start a fight against a powerful political authority.

6. What are press or human rights organizations abroad will react? They just react according to the somewhat clichés which cannot be denied in abstract but has no relevance in a particular context. Yes, it is embarrasing for AKP to be subjected to these criticism but this does not mean, they have a subtantive impact on AKP leadership or constituencies. Because these criticism willingly or unwillingly ignore the ongoing political struggle in Turkey.

A roundup:

1 March 2009 in Turkish press…

March 1, 2009 by erkan

Ciner Group is back in business. Its ambitious newspaper, Habertürk, was released today for the first time. Editor in chief is Fatih Altaylı who is a long time professional journalist/columnist in mainstream media. High quality in print, but not much novelty in content. My first impression. I feel it will first challenge Sabah, which … Read more

"Guide to Major Turkish Daily Newspapers 2008

February 21, 2009 by erkan

I haven’t read it all yet but this guide seems to be a very good guide for beginners. In fact, I don’t have a similar guide around. Have a look.

Andrés Mourenza: Transcaucasia Express

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the 71st Anniversary of Atatürk's Death

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Live from 17th Annual EU ? Turkey Conference of Journalists at Bilgi U.

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Broadband: a legal right!

Broadband Internet is Now a Legal Right in Finland

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Erkan's live from the World Bank/ IMF meetings

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Hülya Avşar and Ceylan Önkol; ending up in the same, Kurdish narrative…

Challenge for Infamous Prosecutor: BIA Quotes Avşar Interview

Bakırköy Public Prosecutor Ali Çakır’s investigation against Hülya Avşar and Devrim Sevimay has nothing to do with “justice”. This abuse of public power under the pretense of the “Kurdish Initiative” is nothing else but mobbing against the two women. We are protesting.

Like this:

A few more words on the "Kurdish Opening"

On Sept. 11, Armenian massacres, butterflies, the caliphate and the EU

Turkey hopeful on Armenia border

Like this:

"Why anthropologists should become journalists

Like this:

"Pressure on Turkish Press"

2. In a more abstract democratic level, however, political authority must not target the media. Even if the authority has valid reasons, media should still be given autonomy. Unfortunately, AKP instigated huge tax fine is a violation of that autonomy.

3. PM Erdoğan is right: DMG acted like an opposition party. But in a country where opposition is so weak, media can assume that role. A powerful government should have accepted that. This does not fit in objectivism ideology in journalism but who cares? Objectivism was never around.

4. But if DMG assumes a political role, then it will have to accept the consequences. A political struggle will create some sorts of wounds. I would still not support a government pressure but i would not be surprised if there pressure since this becomes a field of political struggle.

5. Is a businessman, Aydın Doğan, ready or desiring such a struggle? I am not sure. Ideologically motivated senior journalists are leading the fight, I believe, as some like Fehmi Koru claim. It is never good for business to start a fight against a powerful political authority.

A roundup:

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1 March 2009 in Turkish press…

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"Guide to Major Turkish Daily Newspapers 2008

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I have been preparing myself for e-reader age by downloading entire books and many articles everyday. In the mean time, I am looking and waiting for the proper model to begin with. Editors Weblog introduces QUE…

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It seems that Google offers us a new goody to play with. I saw some Turkish tech bloggers are using the trial versions and they seem to be happy. Well, I am waiting its arrival. There also a round up follows on cybercultural stuff..

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Bakırköy Public Prosecutor Ali Çakır’s investigation against Hülya Avşar and Devrim Sevimay has nothing to do with “justice”. This abuse of public power under the pretense of the “Kurdish Initiative” is nothing else but mobbing against the two women. We are protesting.

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2. In a more abstract democratic level, however, political authority must not target the media. Even if the authority has valid reasons, media should still be given autonomy. Unfortunately, AKP instigated huge tax fine is a violation of that autonomy.

3. PM Erdoğan is right: DMG acted like an opposition party. But in a country where opposition is so weak, media can assume that role. A powerful government should have accepted that. This does not fit in objectivism ideology in journalism but who cares? Objectivism was never around.

4. But if DMG assumes a political role, then it will have to accept the consequences. A political struggle will create some sorts of wounds. I would still not support a government pressure but i would not be surprised if there pressure since this becomes a field of political struggle.

5. Is a businessman, Aydın Doğan, ready or desiring such a struggle? I am not sure. Ideologically motivated senior journalists are leading the fight, I believe, as some like Fehmi Koru claim. It is never good for business to start a fight against a powerful political authority.

A roundup:

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