TURKISH PRESS
The press has always played an important role in Turkish political, social and cultural life,
despite relatively low newspaper circulation.
The fact that the press was introduced to Turkish society in the mid-19th century, at a time
when the country was facing intense political change both at home and in foreign affairs, helped to mould
its role.
Nationalist movements throughout the whole of Europe led in turn to new struggles for
independence. These struggles flowed over the boundaries of the Ottoman Empire which was also,
seeking ways to establish a constitutional regime. During the same period, the Balkan Wars and the First
World War soon began to dominate Turkish foreign policy. Regional and world upheavals led to changes
in the Turkish press that soon taught the Turkish public about the vital role the press could play in
communications, propaganda and organization.
The Turkish press was at the forefront during the War of Independence, when the Repuclic was
Proclaimed, and during the transition to a multi-party system.
Today the domestic press is seen as one of the powers of the land, together with the
legislature, the executive organs and the judicial system. The press and all echelons of Turkish society
are most sensitive about supporting democratic principles, including freedom of the press.
History
Takvim-i Vakayi was the first newspaper published by Turks in Turkish. It appeared in Istanbul,
the capital of the Empire, in 1831. The newspaper, later also published in French. Arabic, Persian,
Armenian and Greek by the OttomanGovernment,and was soon followed by the first private newspaper,
Ceride-i Havadis in 1840. Following the publication of the first press code (Matbuat Nizamnamesi) in
1864, and particularly because of the atmosphere of freedom brought in by the new constitutional regime
in 1908, a great increase was seen in the number of newspapers. Newspapers were no longer limited to
Istanbul and publishing began to flourish. The Turkish press played an effective role in the War of
Independence which started in 1919, and was instrumental in achieving victory. At that time, newspapers
in Anatolia made great strides in both quantity and quality with the contributions of journalists arriving in
Anatolia from occupied Istanbul. Encouraging measures taken by Mustafa Kemal, the founder of the
Turkish Republic, and the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) also played a large role. During this
period the leadership of the Anatolian press was undertaken by the Irade-i Milliye newspaper which was
published on the order of Mustafa Kemal. It was through the medium of this newspaper that decisions
taken by the Ankara Government were relayed to the nation and to other newspapers in Anatolia.The day
Irade-i Milliye was founded, namely September 14, is celebrated every year as "Anatolian Press Day".
The first Turkish news agency, the Anatolia News Agency (Anadolu Ajansı) was established during the
War of Independence and assumed the task of making events known both at home and abroad. Irade-i
Milliye was followed by Hakimiyet-i Milliye newspaper on 10 January 1920, and was instrumental in
promoting Kemalist ideology until the foundation of the Repubilc. After the War of Independence was won,
the relative importance of the Anatolian press declined, and Istanbul once more became the centre for
the Turkish press. In 1935, the first Press Congress convened. In the Republican period, the Turkish
press witnessed rapid development. This process was urther accelerated when a multi-party regime was
adopted in 1946.
The National Press
The national press is much stronger than the local press. National newpapers based in Istanbul account
for about 90% of total circulation. Among the newspapers circulated nationwide, only "Zaman" is based in
Ankara. Today, daily newspapers use advanced technology and have correspondents throughout the
country and in many centres abroad. They make use of the services of international news agencies. The
circulation of individual newspapers varies and also special news features. Aside from Cumhuriyet all are
printed in colour.
National Daily Newspapers
Anadolu'da Vakit
When founded : 5 December 2001
Publisher : Nuri AYKAN
Editor-in-chief : Mustafa KARAHASANOĞLU
Address : 43 Ada No:55 Bağcılar/İST.
Tel : (212) 659 20 56
Fax : (212) 447 42 06
Web : www.vakit.com.tr
E-Mail : vakit@vakit.com.tr
Akşam
When founded : 14 September 1994
Publisher : On behalf of T Medya Yatırım San. ve Tic. A.Ş, Mehmet Bülent ERGİN
Editor-in-chief : Serdar TURGUT
Address : Merkez Efendi Mah. Davutpaşa Cad. No:34 Topkapı/İST.
Tel : (212) 449 30 00
Fax : (212) 481 95 61 - 481 95 71 - 481 96 01
Web : www.aksam.com.tr
E-Mail : editor@aksam.com.tr
Birgün
When founded : 14 April 2004
Publisher : On behalf of Birgün Yayıncılık İletişim ve Tic. A.Ş., Hasan Basri ÇIPLAK
Address : Kemeraltı Cad. No:1-3 Kat:4 34425 Karaköy/İST.
Tel : (212) 244 09 80
Fax : (212) 244 09 02
E-Mail : info@birgun.net
Bugün
When founded : 17 Januaryl 2003
Publisher : Koza İpek Holding
Editor-in-chief : H. Akın İPEK
Address : Büyükdere Cad.No:147 Esentepe-Şişli/İST.
Tel : (212) 211 30 44
Fax : (212) 216 21 94
Web : www.bugun.com.tr
E-Mail : haber@bugün.com.tr
Cumhuriyet
When founded : 7 May 1924
Publisher : İlhan SELÇUK
Editor-in-chief : İbrahim YILDIZ
Address : Prof.Dr.Nurettin Mazhar Öktel Sok.No:2 34381 Şişli / iST.
Tel : (212) 343 72 74 (20 lines)
Fax : (212) 343 72 64
Web : www.cumhuriyet.com.tr
E-Mail : postakutusu@cumhuriyet.com.tr
Dünya
When founded : 2 March 1981
Publisher : Didem Demirkent
Editor-in-chief : Osman S. AROLAT
Address : 100. Yıl Mah. Matbaacılar Sit. yanı Bağcılar / İST.
Tel : (212) 440 24 24
Fax : (212)440 21 14
Web : www.dünya.com
Ekonomik Çözüm
When founded : 21 March 1994
Publisher : A. Yener ÖZKESEN
Editor-in-chief : Özcan ÖZKESEN
Address : 1412 Sok. No:56 Kahramanlar/İZMİR
Tel : (232) 483 05 70
Fax : (232) 446 90 03
Web : www.ekonomik-cozum.com.tr
E-Mail : ozcan.ozkesen@ekonomik.cozum.com.tr
Fanatik
Publisher : Aydın DOĞAN
Editor-in-chief : Necil ÜLGEN
Address : Doğan Medya Center 34204 Bağcılar/ İST.
Tel : (212) 505 65 42
Fax : (212) 505 65 23
Web :www.fanatik.com.tr
Gözlem
When founded : 26 August 1991
Publisher : Çetin GÜREL.
Editor-in-chief : Dilek GAPPİ
Address : Hürriyet Bulvarı No:8/807 İZMİR
Tel : (232) 441 57 42-43
Fax : (232) 441 57 44
Web : www.gozlemgazetesi.com
E-Mail : gozlem@gozlemgazetesi.com
Güneş
When founded : 4 February 1997
Publisher : M. Bülent ERGİN
Editor-in-chief : Murat BÜYÜKÇELEBİ
Address : Merkez Efendi Mah. Davutpaşa Cad. No:34 Zeytinburnu / İST.
Tel : (212) 449 30 10
Fax : (212) 481 99 24-481 95 71
Halka ve Olaylara Tercüman
When founded : 17 January 2003
Publisher : On behalf of T. Medya Yatırım San. ve Tic. A.Ş., Mehmet Bülent ERGİN
Editor-in-chief : Ufuk BÜYÜKÇELEBİ
Address : Davutpaşa Cad. No:34 Zeytinburnu/İST.
Tel : (212) 449 30 00-449 30 31
Fax : (212) 481 95 50
Web :www.tercuman.com.tr
Hürriyet
When founded : 1 May 1948
Publisher : Aydın DOĞAN
Editor-in-chief : Ertuğrul ÖZKÖK
Address : Hürriyet Medya Towers Güneşli 34544 / İST.
Tel : (212) 677 00 00-677 03 44-45
Fax : (212) 677 03 40 - 677 03 27
Web : www.hurriyetim.com.tr
Hürses
When founded : 1978
Publisher : On behalf of Şafak Gazetecilik ve Matbaacılık A.Ş., Mehmet TÜRKER
Editor-in-chief : Kemal GÖNÜL
Address : Yahya Kemal Mah., Talatpaşa Cad. No:448/A 80640 Gültepe/İST.
Tel : (212) 321 49 30
Fax : (212) 321 49 33
Milli Gazete
When founded : 12 January 1973
Publisher : On behalf of Yeni Neşriat A.Ş., Ömer Yüksel ÖZEK
Editor-in-chief : Yılmaz BAYAT
Address : Basın Ekspres Yolu Cemal Ulusoy Cad. No:35 Yenibosna/İST.
Tel : (212) 697 10 00
Fax : (212) 693 18 01
Web : www.milligazete.com.tr
Milliyet
When founded : 3 May 1950
Publisher : Aydın DOĞAN
Editor-in-chief : Sedat ERGİN
Address : Doğan Medya Center 34554 Bağcılar / İST.
Tel : (212) 505 61 11
Fax : (212) 505 62 33
Web : www.milliyet.com.tr
E-Mail : okur@milliyet.com.tr
Ortadoğu
When founded : 3 May 1972
Editor-in-chief : Tarık TAVADOĞLU
Address : Fabrikalar Cad. No:1 Beşyol, Sefaköy / İST
Tel : (212) 624 48 10-425 36 50-51-52
Fax : (212) 624 55 13-425 36 53
Web : www.ortadogugazetesi.net
E-Mail :ortadogugazetesi@hotmail.com
Önce Vatan
When founded : 01 February 2001
Publisher : On behalf of Akosman Turizm Basın Yay. Rek. Dağ. Tic. Ltd., Abdullah AKOSMAN
Editor-in-chief : Ferudun DEMİREL
Address : Sanayi Mah. Sancaklı Cad. Çarşı Sok. No:24-33 Güngören/İST.
Tel : (212) 644 32 07 - 502 23 15
Fax : (212) 539 22 98
Web : www.oncevatan.com.tr
E-Mail : oakosman@e-kolay.net
E-Mail : vatan@oncevatan.com.tr
Özden
When founded : 04 December 1970
Publisher : Üzeyir BİLGİÇ
Address : Pierre Loti Cad. Dizdariye Medresesi Sok. No:21/6 Çemberlitaş/İST.
Tel-Fax : (212) 518 23 57
Web : www.ozdengazetesi.com.tr
Pas Fotomaç
Publisher : Turgay CİNER
Editor-in-chief : Zeki Uzun DURUKAN
Address : Barbaros Bul. No:125 Can Han K:5 Beşiktaş/İST.
Tel : (212) 354 35 02-03-04
Fax : (212) 354 35 57
Posta
When founded : 23 January 1995
Publisher : Aydın DOĞAN
Editor-in-chief : Rifat ABABAY
Address : Doğan Medya Center 34204 Bağcılar / İST.
Tel : (212) 505 61 11
Fax : (212) 505 65 20
E-Mail : posta@simge.com.tr
Radikal
When founded : 13 October 1996
Publisher : Aydın DOĞAN
Editor-in-chief : İsmet BERKAN
Address : Doğan Medya Center 34204 Bağcılar /İST.
Tel : (212) 505 61 11 (10 lines)-505 65 87
Fax : (212) 505 65 83
Web : www.radikal.com.tr
Referans
When founded : 31 May 2004
Publisher : Aydın DOĞAN
Editor-in-chief : Eyüp Can SAĞLIK
Address : Doğan Medya Towers 34212 Güneşli/İST.
Tel : (212) 677 00 00
Fax : (212) 677 06 25
Web : www.referansgazetesi.com
E-Mail : info@referansgazetesi.com
Sabah
When founded : 22 April 1985
Publisher : Star Medya Yayıncılık A.Ş.
Editor-in-chief : Metin SOYSAL, Haluk ÇİMEN, Necdet AÇAN
Address : Köyaltı Mevkii, Basın Express Yolu, Kavak Sokak No:3 Ser Plaza Yeni Bosna/ Bahçelievler/İSTANBUL
Tel : (212) 496 20 00
Fax : (212) 496 21 38
Web : www.sabah.com.tr
E-Mail : starextra@stargazete.com
Star
When founded : 11 March 1999
Publisher : Ulusal Basın Gazetecilik Matbaacılık ve Yayıncılık Sanayi A.Ş.
Editor-in-chief :Zakir BARUTÇU
Address : Mehmet Akif Mah. İnönü Cad. Basın Ekspres Yolu Star Sok. No:2 İkitelli /İST
Tel : (212) 448 80 00-448 83 40
Fax : (212) 448 84 00-448 82 60
Web : www.stargazete.com.tr
E-Mail : editor@stargazete.com
Takvim
When founded : 26 December 1994
Publisher : Turgay CİNER
Editor-in-chief :İskender BAYDAR
Address : BArbaros Bulvarı No125 Camhan 34349 Beşiktaş İSTANBUL
Tel : (212) 354 30 00
Fax : (212) 347 06 77
Web : www.takvim.com.tr
Turkish Daily News
When founded : 15 March 1961
Publisher : Aydın DOĞAN
Editor-in-chief : Yusuf KANLI
Address : Iran Cad. Karum İş Merkezi No:443 Kavaklıdere/ANK
Tel : (312) 468 91 78
Fax : (312) 468 75 01
The New Anatolian
When founded : 01 February 2005
Publisher : İlhan ÇEVİK
Editor-in-chief : Mete BELOVACIKLI
Address : Şehit Ersan Cad. No:4/15-16 Kavaklıdere/ANK.
Tel : (312) 467 41 51
Fax : (312) 467 41 56
Web : www.tna.com.tr
E-Mail : tna@thenewanatolion.com
Today's Zaman
When founded : 2007
Publisher : Ali AKBULUT
Editor-in-chief : Bülent KENEŞ
Address : 34194 Yenibosna İSTANBUL.
Tel : (212) 454 84 54 - 454 14 44
Fax : (212) 454 14 97
Web : www.todayszaman.com
E-Mail : editor@todayszaman.com
Türkiye
When founded : 22 April 1970
Publisher : Dr. Enver ÖREN
Editor-in-chief : Fuat BOL
Address : İhlas Holding Medya Plaza 34197 Yenibosna / İST
Tel : (212) 454 30 00
Fax : (212) 454 31 00
Web : www.turkiyegazetesi.com
Vatan
When founded : 4 September 2002
Publisher : On behalf of Bağımsız Gazeteciler Yayıncılık A.Ş., Serdar MUTLU
Editor-in-chief : Tayfun DEVECİOĞLU
Address : Büyükdere Caddesi No:123 Gayrettepe / İST.
Tel : (212) 354 54 54
Fax : (212) 356 26 81
Web : www.vatanim.com.tr
Yeni Asya
When founded : 21 February 1970
Publisher : Mehmet KUTLULAR
Editor-in-chief : Kazım GÜLEÇYÜZ
Address : Evren Mah. Gülbahar Cad. Güney Sok. No:7 Güneşli /İST
Tel : (212) 655 88 59 (7 lines) 651 46 42-515 03 25
Fax : (212) 515 67 62
Yeni Çağ
When founded : 13 September 2002
Publisher : On behalf of A Yayıncılık Gazetecilik ve Matbaacılık, Ahmet ÇELİK
Editor-in-chief : Hayri KÖKLÜ
Address : Çoban Çeşme Mah. Kalender Sok. No:12 Yenibosna/İST.
Tel : (212) 452 40 40
Fax : (212) 452 40 58
Web : www.yenicaggazetesi.com.tr
E-Mail : yenicag@yenicaggazetesi.com.tr
Yeni Şafak
When founded : 23 January 1995
Publisher : On behalf of Diyalog Gazetecilik San. Tic.A.Ş., Ahmet ALBAYRAK
Editor-in-chief : Mustafa KARAALİOĞLU
Address : Bankalar cad. Yenidoğan Mah. Şenay Sok No:2 Bayrampaşa / İST.
Tel : (212) 612 29 30
Fax : (212) 612 19 03-612 19 32
Web : www.yenisafak.com.tr
E-Mail : halklailiskiler@yenisafak.com.tr
Zaman
When founded : 3 November 1986
Publisher : On behalf of Feza Gazetecilik A.Ş., Ali AKBULUT
Editor-in-chief : Ekrem DUMANLI
Address : Zaman Gazetesi 34194 Yenibosna/İST.
Tel : (212) 454 14 54
Fax : (212) 454 14 67
Web : www.zaman.com.tr
E-Mail : internet@zaman.com.tr
The Regional Press
Yeni Asır, published in İzmir, is the biggest newspaper with a regional character. It gives
wide coverage to news concerning the Aegean region and is structurally able to compete
with national newspapers. Yeni Asır has an average daily circulation of 43.003
YENİ ASIR
When founded : 26 August 1895
Publisher : Turgay CİNER
Address : Gaziosmanpaşa Bul. No:5 Çankaya/İzmir
Tel : (232) 441 50 00
Fax : (232) 466 42 22
Local Press
Despite its long history and unique tradition, the local press in Turkey falls far behind national
newspapers with respect to use of press technology and numbers of readers.In Turkey, the oldest
newspapers still published today maintain a strong local readership. Among these, Yeni Adana,
which began publication on 25 December 1918 with the purpose of supporting the War of Independence,
still effectively continues its publication in Adana as one of the oldest newspapers in Turkey. In the
provinces and towns of Turkey, 6.021 periodicaals (newspapers,magazines,etc),half of them weekly,
are published. Following national newspapers in utilizing modern technology, many local newspapers
have started to use the offset technique in printing. The total monthly circulation of these daily
newspapers published in Bursa, which has a relatively long history of journalism, was 997.732 in
February 2005. The total monthly circulation of six local newspapers published in Konya over the same
period was 398.878 and that of ten local newspapers in Adana was 550.740. The circulation figures in
other provinces are lower when compared with these provinces.
Minority Press
Publications issued by minorities have always held an important place in the Turkish press.
The Greek, Armenian and Jewish minorities have long printed newspapers in regions Where their
populations are dense.Today, the minorities publish daily newspapers and periodicals in their own
languages mainly in Istanbul and benefit from the same rights as the Turkish press. Among these,
IHO and Apoyevmatini, published by Greeks, and Jamanak, Nor Marmara and Agos by the
Armenians, are the most important newspapers and periodicals.
Training for Journalists
Media and press training is carried out in fourteen specialized training colleges in Ankara, Istanbul,
Izmir and Eskişehir. In these faculties theoretical training is stressed as is practical experience.
Students often work for a time in media organizations which cooperate with these colleges.In recent
years, many young journalists have benefited from opportunities presented by the Directorate General
of Press and Information to study foreign languages and to undertake training both locally and abroad.
The Hürriyet newspapers Erol Simavi Foundation's Centre for Media and Communications Training, and
the Uğur Mumcu Foundation for Investigative Journalism share the aim of training young journalists with
high levels of practical ability. In addition, the Hürriyet Foundation holds an annual contest to encourage
progressive development in the domestic press.
Advertising Policy
Low sales and continuously rising costs of newspaper production have all increased the importance of
income from advertisements.İndividuals and private organizations are totally free to give their ads to any
press organization under Turkey's free market conditions. Important regulations in this area however, have
been drawn up by the Professional Advertising Committee, which is attached to the Istanbul Chamber of
Commerce (ITO). These regulations, entitled "Professional Resolutions to be Complied with on the Subject
of Honest Advertising" were approved by the ITO in 1981. Although almost all of the advertising sector is
concentrated in Istanbul, those "professional resolutions", comprising 41 articles, are effective throughout
the country.The resolutions stıpulate general principles to which advertisements should conform as well
as "special conditions to be adhered to when advertising goods and services relevant to a specific
commercial activity", "responsibilities of executives, advertising agencies and those giving advertisemenets"
and "sanctions to be adopted against those who violate the professional resolutions". Advertisements from
public institutions and organizations are given to and distributed by the Press Advertising Organization
(Basın Ilan Kurumu), established for the purpose of preserving the principle of impartiality. Costs for
advertisements given by public institutions and organizations are determined by the Council of Ministers,
and are lower than private sector prices, which are set by conditions prevailing on the free market.
The fact that public sector prices for advertisements are low make these advertisemenets unattractive
for high circulation newspapers. On the other hand, local newspapers with a small circulation largely
depend for survival on these advertisements. The share of the advertising sector in the national income,
its influence on the economy and its place in cultural and social life has been on the increase since 1970.
What primarily added impetus to this sector is the fact that the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation
(TRT) began to accept advertisements for television as of that period and that recently, the establishment
of private TV channels added immensely to the size of advertising audiences.The biggest advertising
expenditures are made by banks and newspapers.Even though the share of the advertising sector in the
national income in Turkey is considerably lower than that in European countries, the growth rate is faster,
which in turn attracts more attention from foreign advertising agencies. The fact that many foreign firms
are engaged in activities in Turkey in areas including consumer goods, banking and the press, where
advertising costs are high, has been a factor in increasing the activity of foreign advertising agencies in
Turkey. During 1995, the number of foreign advertising partnerships and internationally linked advertising
agencies operating in Turkey totalled 6,000.
Press Legislation
In Turkey freedom of the press and freedom from censorship are guaranteed by the Constitution.It is not
necessary to obtain permission or provide financial guarantees to establish a publishing house (1982
Constitution, Article 28).Freedom of the press can only be restricted for the purposes of preventing crime,
punishing offenders, witholding information duly classified as a state secret, protecting the reputation and
rights and the private and family life of others, or for protecting professional secrets as prescribed by law,
or for ensuring the proper functioning of the judiciary.Foreign individuals and organizations can own press
facilities in Turkey, provided permission from the Ministry of the Interior has been granted. The point of
view of the highest administrative authority in the region will also be taken into account.
Facilities Granted to the Press
Because of concerns about impairing the freedom of the press, the press does not directly receive
financial support in Turkey.However, accredited press organizations and members of the press can enjoy
certain transportation and communications privileges, i.e. many public services are free of charge or carry
a 50% discount provided they hold a valid press card. Both local and foreign press organizations and
members can avail themselves of the facilities available to press card holders.Press cards can also be
used as identity cards, and holders can attend all types of ceremonies, activities, events etc. which are
not of a private nature, and other events that have news value. Furthermore, press card holders can enter
free of charge public museums, galleries, exhibitions, stadiums and other places where entrance fees are
normally charged. Transportation services such as aircraft, trains, sea-going vessels and buses are either <