It had been alleged that layoffs were continuing at the Sözcü newspaper, that the Germany bureau was being closed, and that managing editors Doğan Satmış and Oğuzhan Beyaz were among those to be laid off.
Following the controversy, sports commentator Erman Toroğlu left Sözcü TV and the Sözcü newspaper. Announcing his resignation during a live broadcast, Toroğlu had stated, “With my departure, perhaps they can save the jobs of 10-15 people. Young colleagues will continue to work.”
A response from the Sözcü side came following the layoff allegations and Erman Toroğlu's resignation. Sözcü TV Editor-in-Chief İpek Özbey denied the claims that 50 people had been laid off and reacted to the comments regarding Erman Toroğlu's resignation.
In her statement, Özbey said, “A website is writing that 50 people were laid off from Sözcü. Along with a whole lot of other lies. Everyone believes it. Even experienced journalists don't bother to call and ask a single person, 'Is there really such a thing?'...”
A website is writing that 50 people were laid off from Sözcü. Along with a whole lot of other lies. Everyone believes it. Even experienced journalists don't bother to call and ask a single person, 'Is there really such a thing?'... We are moving a program to YouTube so it doesn't fall victim to the TV's busy news agenda. We talked about this happily, we agreed. We set up the system accordingly, we put in the effort. Without telling anyone, a resignation is made. And this is presented as 'heroism,' as if 50 people were laid off and this was a reaction to it. And everyone jumps on it. As much as we can, as much as our budget allows (because Sözcü is a place that tries to survive only by doing journalism), we try to open our doors to our colleagues. Despite all the difficulties, this is an institution that focuses on paying salaries on the 1st of the month and expects only journalism from its employees. It is sad for humanity to see those who applied for a job the day before turn into keyboard warriors when they are not hired the next day. It is also sad that there are people who believe lies and deceit so easily with two tweets. You can believe all kinds of lies and deceit. We know who is doing what and why. We stand upright, and we watch the fate of the crooked. We are doing our job. Because we know that “If Sözcü falls silent, Turkey falls silent..."
— İpek Özbey (@ipekkozbey) November 1, 2026
Reacting to the assessments regarding Toroğlu's resignation, Özbey stated that a program was moved to YouTube due to the busy news agenda, and that this had been discussed and planned between the parties. Özbey said, “And this is presented as ‘heroism,’ as if 50 people were laid off and this was a reaction to it. And everyone jumps on it.”
The full statement made by Özbey from her X account is as follows:
"A website is writing that 50 people were laid off from Sözcü.
Along with a whole lot of other lies.
Everyone believes it. Even experienced journalists don't bother to call and ask a single person, 'Is there really such a thing?'...
We are moving a program to YouTube so it doesn't fall victim to the TV's busy news agenda.
We talked about this happily, we agreed.
We set up the system accordingly, we put in the effort.
Without telling anyone, a resignation is made.
And this is presented as 'heroism,' as if 50 people were laid off and this was a reaction to it.
And everyone jumps on it.
As much as we can, as much as our budget allows (because Sözcü is a place that tries to survive only by doing journalism), we try to open our doors to our colleagues.
Despite all the difficulties, this is an institution that focuses on paying salaries on the 1st of the month and expects only journalism from its employees.
It is sad for humanity to see those who applied for a job the day before turn into keyboard warriors when they are not hired the next day.
It is also sad that there are people who believe lies and deceit so easily with two tweets.
You can believe all kinds of lies and deceit.
We know who is doing what and why.
We stand upright, and we watch the fate of the crooked.
We are doing our job. Because we know that “If Sözcü falls silent, Turkey falls silent..."
News Source: 12punto
