Turkish Journalists Association Board reacts to Akit newspaper: We condemn your false reporting

Akit has targeted the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) this time. Claiming that the TGC would engage in propaganda for homosexuality by receiving funds from the EU, Akit did not refrain from using a headline containing the word 'pervert.' The reaction to Akit's report, which targeted journalists, was harsh. The TGC board, which stated that it has never received any funds from the EU as the newspaper claimed, condemned Akit.

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Turkish Journalists Association Board reacts to Akit newspaper: We condemn your false reporting

The Board of Directors of the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) has issued a statement condemning the report titled "Journalists Association is looking for a pervert journalist," which was published on the front page of the January 4, 2025 issue of Akit newspaper alongside a photograph of TGC President Vahap Munyar.

The statement included the following views:

"The Turkish Journalists Association is an independent professional organization established in 1946, which has adopted the goal of protecting the journalism profession, its traditions, and ethical principles; which advocates for the development, protection, and dissemination of the Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of Journalists in Turkey; and which defends everyone's right to access information and the public's right to receive accurate news and learn the truth, and carries out its activities in this direction.

In the January 4, 2025 issue of Akit newspaper, a report was published on the front page with the headline "JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION IS LOOKING FOR A PERVERT JOURNALIST," and it was claimed that the Turkish Journalists Association receives European Union funds and carries out projects in cooperation with the European Union. The name of Vahap Munyar, who is the President of the Turkish Journalists Association, was also mentioned, and Vahap Munyar was targeted.

Many state institutions and organizations benefit from EU funds. However, the Turkish Journalists Association has never received any funds from the European Union since the day it was founded, nor has it developed any joint projects with the European Union. Since 1946, it has survived and continues to survive through its own resources and the donations of its members. The report is entirely contrary to the truth; in this respect, it violates the ethical rules of the journalism profession, the Press Law, the Turkish Penal Code, and Law No. 5651.

This report, which was published with the photograph of Vahap Munyar along with the false news made by Akit newspaper, is aimed at undermining the reputation and damaging the prestige of both the Turkish Journalists Association and Vahap Munyar. It constitutes the crime of attacking personal rights and public defamation as stated in Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code, and it clearly targets them.

Akit newspaper is obliged to comply with the ethical rules of the journalism profession and to verify whether news is contrary to the truth. This is a necessity for all individuals and institutions that want to practice journalism.

Because this report contains defamation and falsehoods against the Turkish Journalists Association and Vahap Munyar, it is a necessity according to the ethical principles of the journalism profession that an apology be made immediately, that the publication be removed from the website immediately, and that the apology text be published in the same font size and in the same headline section.

Reserving our legal rights, we present to the public's information that, just as we did yesterday, we will continue to fight today against individuals and institutions that publish false news, target individuals and institutions, and attack personal rights."

Akit, known for its reactionary and provocative publications, had used expressions that do not align with journalistic principles in the report where it accused the TGC, which does not receive any funds from the EU.

News Source: 12punto