A new and determined beginning

Today is a new beginning for us.

At a time when our country and society are struggling with various problems, we have set out to fulfill our duty as journalists, just as we always have.

A few months ago, we were forced to leave our beloved Cumhuriyet newspaper due to certain ethical reasons. After a sad and exhausting process, the idea of a new venture both excited and gave us hope.

I know that the most useful people for humanity, for their societies and countries, are those who try to do their jobs to the best of their ability.

We are determined to deliver the truth to the reader without bending or twisting it even a dot, by looking at the journalism profession through the window of morality and conscience, in line with the facts, and by upholding the fundamental principles and values of the profession with endless determination.

We are human first, then journalists.

Everyone knows how difficult it is to practice journalism in Turkey.

Those who want to convey the truth to the public are being intimidated by a series of lawsuits, and very valuable colleagues are being kept in dungeons and torn away from their families.

However, even though journalists face these painful truths in a tragic way, they do not refrain from practicing journalism. They continue to stand by the truth with determination.

Journalism is not only difficult in this aspect in our country.

A few years ago, a young editor I wanted to include in my team sincerely expressed that they could not work with me. When I asked "Why?", they explained that they had been working in media outlets close to the government for many years and that their mind was focused on doing a different kind of journalism.

In fact, it was not journalism they were doing, and they were aware of it too. They used exactly these words: "We were conditioned to hide the negatives that would put the government in a difficult position. If we couldn't hide them, we developed a reflex to blame others. This was what was imposed on us. Therefore, it may take a long time for me to break away from this perception"...

This situation, which my young editor friend sincerely conveyed, confronted me once again with the reality of the "obligation to take sides" imposed on journalists in our country, and the fact that people are forced to make compromises to survive. Although I knew this very well, the awareness of such a young editor and their sincere account of what they had experienced affected me deeply.

Yes, we have set out on a new path. In this new journey, our route will be, just as it was in the past, only on the side of the truth.

We will practice journalism that is impartial, principled, independent, free, and committed to journalistic principles to the end. Because this is what motivates and makes us happy.

It is known by everyone that we have too many problems as a country. The foundation of our motivation to practice journalism lies in the feeling of adding meaning to our country, society, children, women, youth, nature, animals, and all elements of life, and standing by them.

We aim to deliver ideas and information to society correctly by producing news.

As for how and what we will do...

We are all aware of the transformation of the media. One would wish that print media outlets would also live on and reach their audience. However, economic conditions all over the world make this more difficult every day. The extraordinary rise of digitalization shows no signs of slowing down.

It is, of course, very difficult to produce new things in this rapid rise, and we are aware of this.

With our awareness, we will persistently seek the answer to the question, "What can we add on top of existing methods?" And we will try to tell, spread, and reflect information with the most plain, simplest methods, in writing and with fluid visuals.

In today's Turkey, the media is divided into two: government media, or in more common parlance, pro-government media, and opposition media.

The known attitude of the pro-government media is extremely clear and distinct.

The job of the opposition media is a bit easier. They can write about many truths at the risk of lawsuits, closures, and arrests, but sometimes they can also overlook what they should write.

As www.12punto.com.tr, we will do our best to convey all facts based on events and phenomena by asking the relevant parties, correcting ourselves when we make mistakes, and trying to look from different angles.

In addition to producing exclusive news, we will also take on the role of 'plain reflection'.

Motivation and solidarity were undoubtedly very important while setting out on this path. The support and presence of dear Ferda Öngün, with whom I worked at Cumhuriyet Newspaper and from whom I learned a lot even though I have long surpassed 20 years in the profession, became a driving force for me. She was by my side as always. Of course, it would never be right to overlook other friends; I greet and embrace them all with love. Their presence and support have always been very important to me.

The bottom line is this; we will fight to do journalism in the best way possible, we will convey the truth by being impartial, principled, and committed to the fundamental values of the press profession. We will be brave and conscientious. We will uphold the values of our Republic. We will advance on the path of enlightenment.

Be with us....