At an awards ceremony organised jointly by Turkey’s Journalists’ Society (TGC) and the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the local media in Turkey was in the lime light.

The Local Journalism Awards Ceremony, the 11th of its kind, took place on Thursday (9 April) evening at the Crowne Plaza Old City Hotel in Laleli, Istanbul.

TGC president Orhan Erinç said at the ceremony, “The local media works under more difficult conditions. Conditions for local journalists have not improved.”

One example of such difficulties was finding advertising, which is very difficult outside of 10-15 provinces.

Erinç praised the commitment of publications, despite the fact that journalists faced dangers, as well as problems with social security and IDs.

"A press martyr"

The TGC president handed Fevzi Kahraman, general director of the İhlas News Agency (İHA), a plaque to commemorate İHA reporter İsmail Güneş, who died in a helicopter crash with politicians from the Great Union Party (BBP) shortly before the local elections at the end of March.

Kahraman said, “I accept the prize in the name of İsmail and the 700 employers we have.” Güneş was called a "press martyr" by Güneş. 

The Zonguldak Pusula (Compass) magazine was given a Special Award for its regular and comprehensive publication, despite limited funds. Bayram Tomakin received the reward from Erkan Cillov, president of the Press Advertisement Institution.

Photo awards

For photographs, Derya Cebesoy from the Önder newspaper in Ereğli, Zonguldak, received an award for her “In Çanakkale” photo. Former TGC president Nail Güreli handed over the award.

Sadık Aksoy of the Batman Posta newspaper won a mention for a photo entitled “Humanity trodden on”, featuring a person taking money from an ATM and another person lying on the ground. Aksoy was congratulated by TGC general secretary Zafer Atay.

Layout

The page layout award went to Şahin Çoban from the Adana Refleks newspaper, handed over by TGC general secretary Celal Toprak.

Ercan Atay, representative for the Batman newspaper which received a mention, was congratulated by Prof. Dr.Jale Sarmaşık from Istanbul Commerce University’s Communication Faculty. In his speech of thanks, Atay called for more educational seminars in the region.

News awards

In the news category, Akın Bodur from the İskenderun Ses newspaper received an award for a feature on the executions of the period after the military coup on 12 September 1980. He had interviewed a person who had been on duty at the Martial Law Court and used other documents. When receiving his award from TGC vice president Turgay Olcayto, Bodur said, “Thank you for giving the Anatolian press air.”

Sabit Özkeser from the Adana İlkhaber newspaper received a mention for reporting on women’s problems and the struggle of a local woman in a news item entitled “A stoyr of success.” He received his award from Necmettin Altuntaş, province manager of the Press and Publishing Information General Directorate (BYEGM). (EÖ/AG)