Daily Hürriyet celebrates 66th year anniversary

ISTANBUL

Aydın Doğan received the 20th year badge during the ceremony held in daily Hürriyet’s garden June 13.

Turkey’s mainstream newspaper Hürriyet has celebrated its 66th anniversary at a ceremony in Istanbul where Aydın Doğan, founder and honorary chairman of Doğan Holding, made a speech about journalism in Turkey.

Aydın Doğan received the 20th year badge on June 13 in the ceremony held in daily Hürriyet’s garden located at the Bağcılar distrcit of Istanbul, along with many other employers of Doğan Media, including those who received the 50th year badge.

Doğan told the ceremony that the main principle of journalism should be the accuracy of the news.

“Journalists should not worry whether who will be negatively affected by his/her the story. The main concern should be whether the story is accurate. The diversity of opinions is richness. There should be freedom, but not without limit. Opinions that besmirch one’s reputation is like cutting the tree you have climbed on. Turkey is changing; society is changing. We have to better understand this change. Let’s leave prejudices behind and try to understand everyone and stay objective,” Doğan said in the ceremony.

He also said he has paid the price for doing independent journalism, both during the 1980 military coup and from the governments following the coup term. He recalled that daily Hürriyet is the first institution in Turkey that declared press publishing principles.

“We are the first media institution [in Turkey] that released press publishing principles. We have renewed them in line with the changing technology and conditions,” he added.

Doğan said the polarization in Turkey’s politics have also been reflected in the press.

“We do not want to be a part of this polarization. We are trying to do just and independent journalism. We want to comply with the international standards, while also embracing justice and consciousness,” he added.

He also added financial independence of the press makes it free. He added that today, the number of newspapers and televisions which are financially independent are very low. He also stated the media should not “make politics.” “We believe media should not make politics, but it should smooth the way for politics. It should defend the real agenda of Turkey. There should be a platform where all ideas are independently debated,” said Doğan.

 He also said Doğan media group supported the government-led peace process regarding the Kurdish problem. “Our publications have never been provocative. We all must respect everyone’s identities and beliefs to unite Turkey under peace. We have shown our responsibility by supporting the peace process. We will continue this way. We have embraced the principles of our Republic, particularly our flag,” said Doğan.

Doğan also said he has been friends and rivals with the owners of other newspapers in the past. But, today, he said he even does not know who owns some of the newspapers in Turkey. Doğan concluded his remarks, saying he is praying for the Turkish citizens who have been abducted in Mosul.

Hürriyet newspaper chairwoman Vuslat Doğan Sabancı also said in the same ceremony that they have been focusing on digital media this year.