Accurate and impartial journalism

It is the 104th anniversary of the founding of Anadolu Agency. During our National War of Independence, it was established in Ankara on April 6, 1920—17 days before the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM)—with the intellectual foundation laid by Halide Edip Adıvar and Yunus Nadi, and under the instructions of our founding leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Atatürk issued a circular explaining both the establishment of the Agency and the fundamental principles regarding its operation. The following words in the circular are noteworthy: “…the Anadolu Agency, established to ensure that our religious and patriotic brothers can receive the most accurate news and information, begins its duty as of today.” 

While our lands were under occupation, while British soldiers were patrolling in Istanbul, and while a difficult war of independence was being fought in Anatolia, the emphasis on “religious and patriotic brotherhood” highlights the effort of a true leader to unite all segments living on the homeland without discrimination in order to cleanse the country of invaders. Anatolian lands had perhaps been home to hundreds of civilizations for thousands of years, serving as a homeland for people of various faiths, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. After the Turks settled in these lands, they formed a rich Anatolian synthesis with those who lived here before them. During the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, these people lived together for centuries while maintaining their own beliefs and cultures. Now, that homeland was under the occupation of imperialists. Therefore, it was a day for brotherhood, a day for unity and solidarity. And for the sake of ensuring unity and integrity, a continuous and accurate flow of news and information was essential. 

The emphasis here on “accurate news and information” is particularly striking. There is no mention of creating perceptions, manipulating people, etc. It emphasizes that the public should not be left uninformed and that the most accurate news and information should be conveyed. The concept of accurate journalism—and consequently, impartial media—which has been debated for decades but never fully mastered, was already established by our founding leader at that time, and the rules were set. I cannot help but ask what we are still debating and why we are failing to achieve it. 

Another point emphasized by Mustafa Kemal in the circular explaining the establishment of Anadolu Agency is speed and reach in the flow of news and information. “That the news and information received today be read and known by as many people as possible…” How clearly Atatürk emphasized here that the fundamental constituent element of news is speed, that is, racing against time. He also draws attention to the mass nature of news. One of the fundamental features that distinguishes mass communication tools, or as we call it today, the media, from other information producers and distributors is its speed, and the other is its mass reach. For this, an organizational structure is necessary. Our founding leader does not overlook this point either. “To this end, we request from the patriotism and assistance of all of you that you fulfill the requirements of creating special organizations even in those places, writing the information we will provide every day on blackboards at telegraph office doors, and where there are sufficient means, printing, publishing, and distributing it, and sending it even to the districts and villages.” 

It is a news agency established under the conditions of that day, aiming for a journalistic approach that is as mass-oriented as possible, racing against time, and accurate and objective. Again, under the conditions of that day, it is specified in detail how this organization would operate and with what human resources and technical means it would work. The final sentence of the circular is particularly noteworthy: “…we request from the patriotism and assistance of all of you that you fulfill these requirements.” Isn't the attitude of calling people to cooperate on a voluntary basis truly impressive? There is no established order, no technical means, no trained human resources. Amidst all these absences, there is the foresighted, visionary, inclusive, embracing, and protective call of a leader. Underlying all of this is the common sense and rational competence of a leader who could analyze the character of the Anatolian people, who had lived together for centuries, perhaps even millennia, very well. 

On the other hand, Anadolu Agency does not only convey news and information domestically. The details of Mustafa Kemal’s founding circular include statements directing the Agency to also convey news and information abroad. One of the constituent elements of the Republic of Turkey’s structuring as an independent state during its founding process is undoubtedly the establishment of its own media and its own news sources. Thus, Anadolu Agency was founded with a very important mission. 

Media is quite important in terms of the state strengthening internally and demonstrating its power externally. However, it is of great importance that the media is not confined to narrow political cliques and that it prioritizes public service, conveying accurate, objective, and impartial information to domestic and foreign public opinion. The establishment and continued existence of Anadolu Agency are very important in this respect. However, it remains strong and adds strength only if it continues its existence without ever compromising its founding principles. 

Happy 104th anniversary to Anadolu Agency.