Surprise departure at Sözcü newspaper! Experienced columnist says goodbye with these words

A surprise departure has taken place at Sözcü newspaper.

Economy columnist Erdal Sağlam, who began writing for Sözcü on December 7, 2024, announced that he has bid farewell to the newspaper.

In his column today titled “Farewell to Sözcü readers,” Sağlam explained that the departure was a management decision with the following words:

“In my 42-year professional career, I do not recall ever leaving an institution without it being my own decision. The phone call I received from management last week saying, ‘We want to part ways with you at the end of this month,’ came as a surprise. In short, I have experienced another first in my professional life.”

Continuing his column by recalling his first piece for Sözcü, Sağlam stated: “This understanding of journalism may not suit some, but there is nothing to be done; this approach of mine will continue from now on. From here on out; I will continue to do my job by upholding the belief that journalism is a public duty, meaning one must stand with the people, but doing so without resorting to the ease of demagoguery and slogans, and without wagging a finger saying, ‘Hey, you... minister.’”

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WHO IS ERDAL SAĞLAM?

He was born in Ankara in 1957.

He is a graduate of the Turkey Middle East Institute of Public Administration (TODAİE) School of Management.

He began his professional career in 1984 at the Istanbul headquarters of Dünya newspaper. One year later, he moved to the Ankara Bureau of Dünya newspaper as a reporter. He subsequently served as Ankara News Manager for Dünya, Ankara Economy Reporter for Hürriyet, and a columnist for Hürriyet.

After a short period as Deputy Representative at Yeni Yüzyıl newspaper, he became the Ankara Representative when Star newspaper was founded. Later, while returning to his role as a columnist for Hürriyet, he also produced and provided commentary for economy programs on CNN Türk.

Since 2004, he held the roles of Hürriyet newspaper columnist and Referans newspaper Ankara Representative simultaneously. He is a recipient of the Istanbul University Faculty of Economics “Best Economy Reporter” award.

He has taught courses on economy journalism and specialized journalism at the Gazi University Faculty of Communication. He continues to teach the economy journalism course.

News Source: 12punto