Prominent Turkish journalist, HDN columnist Birand passes away

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Mehmet Ali Birand, Hürriyet Photo

Mehmet Ali Birand, a world-renowned journalist, Hürriyet Daily News columnist and chief news editor of private channel Kanal D, died yesterday at the age of 72 due to cardiac arrest. He had been receiving cancer treatment for a long period.

Birand underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in order to replace a stent at the American Hospital in Istanbul on Jan. 16 and had been placed in intensive care due to complications.

A funeral service will be held for Birand at Teşvikiye Mosque tomorrow.

“We think that he did not feel much pain because it was a simpe operation,” Birand’s son, Umur Birand, told reporters in front of the hospital. “He was making arrangements with [CNN executive] Süleyman [Sarılar] for his TV program next Tuesday.”

“The Turkish media has lost a big journalist, both the press and television,” Doğan Holding Honorary Chairman Aydın Doğan said in a televised interview. “He had a great excitement, success and ability. He is irreplaceable.”

Doğan TV Holding Chairwoman Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ said they worked together for a long time without any problems.

“I feel sorrow like millions of people,” she said.

Mehmet Ali Birand was born on Dec. 9, 1941, in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. He completed his high school education at Galatasaray High School. He began his journalistic career in 1964 in daily Milliyet.