The Mersin Journalists Association Held a Workshop on the Occasion of World Press Freedom Day, May 3
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, May 3, the Mersin Journalists Association organized a workshop at the Tarsus Youth Camp.
The event, held in the Berdan Guesthouse Hall, saw strong participation from the President of the Mersin Journalists Association, Mr. R. Kaya Tepe, Board Members, Association Members, and journalists.
As part of the workshop, significant presentations were delivered by Assoc. Prof. Onur Başar Özbozkurt, Academic Advisor to the Mersin Journalists Association and President of the Academy Association, and Dr. Çetin Oranlı, Regional Director of the Press Advertisement Agency in Adana.
In the first session, R. Kaya Tepe — President of the Mersin Journalists Association and Vice President of the Turkish Journalists Federation — delivered a speech addressing the ongoing issues in the journalism sector that require urgent solutions. Following this, Assoc. Prof. Onur Başar Özbozkurt delivered a noteworthy presentation focusing on press freedom practices around the world.
Assoc. Prof. Özbozkurt emphasized the significance of press freedom with the following remarks:
“Press freedom not only enables journalists to fulfill their duty of informing the public by pursuing the truth with their pens, but it also represents the right of all individuals in society to access information and learn the facts. In this respect, defending press freedom is not only the responsibility of journalists but a shared duty for all of us. It is truly valuable to come together with you again on this important occasion.”
He also shared striking current examples related to global press freedom, stating:
“Journalists in the Gaza Strip, on this very World Press Freedom Day, are striving to report the truth to the world despite Israeli attacks. Gaza has witnessed a record number of violations against journalists and the press. More than 200 Palestinian journalists have been killed by the Israeli army. In such places, journalism often requires not just the courage to tell the truth, but also comes with the risk of losing one's life. This reality once again reminds us that press freedom is both a matter of democracy and humanity.”
We congratulate Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özbozkurt and wish him continued success.
