At the Turkey Journalists Association (TGC) Burhan Felek Press Service Awards Ceremony, world traveler, economist, trainer, editor, and researcher-writer H. Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu shared information about her latest book, which she has written in both Turkish and English. The book provides a historical and interdisciplinary perspective on the topics of 360-degree Ethical Press and Journalism, offering a forward-looking approach. During the event, Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu engaged in various discussions with the pioneers of the profession about topics such as the past and present of journalism. Among the veteran journalists she interacted with were Mustafa Kemal Sallı, who received his award from İhsan Kani Atmaca, a board member of the Journalists’ Social Solidarity Foundation, İsmet Arslan, Dursun Özden, and Ayşenur Arslan, who received her award from Nuray Karagöz, TGC’s Assistant General Secretary. They took a commemorative photo at the end of the day.

To commemorate Burhan Felek, the former president of the Turkey Journalists Association, on the 42nd anniversary of his death, TGC organized an event at the TGC Conference Hall. After his death, the Press Service Awards were established in his name by the management board, and to be eligible for the award, a journalist must have worked for 50 years in the profession and be over the age of 70. Every year, a list of eligible members is submitted to the Burhan Felek Press Service Awards Selection Committee. The Selection Committee carried out the awarding process this year as well. The ceremony, organized by TGC and hosted by Sibel Güneş, TGC General Secretary, began with a moment of silence in respect of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades, and the journalists who lost their lives in pursuit of the news. After the opening speeches, the event continued with short addresses from the awardees. At the end of the day, after a family photo, members of the press world with 50 years of experience held consultations with the press during the cocktail event.

World traveler, economist, trainer, editor, and researcher-writer H. Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu, who attended the event as an invited guest, shared information about her latest book, which she has recently completed editing. The book covers topics such as 360-degree Ethical Agile Press and Journalism and offers a historical and interdisciplinary perspective with a forward-looking approach in both Turkish and English. During the event, Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu engaged in various discussions with the veteran professionals of the field, including conversations about the past and present of journalism. Among the veteran journalists she interacted with were Mustafa Kemal Sallı, who received his award from İhsan Kani Atmaca, a board member of the Journalists’ Social Solidarity Foundation. In his speech, Mustafa Kemal Sallı said, “I started my career in 1971 at Büyük Gazete. My elders told me that the smell of the profession is addictive, and after this, you won’t be able to do anything else. I’ve experienced this truth firsthand. The Burhan Felek Press Service Award is an honor for every journalist.” İsmet Arslan, Dursun Özden, and Ayşenur Arslan, who received her award from Nuray Karagöz, TGC’s Assistant General Secretary, also spoke during the event. In her speech, Ayşenur Arslan expressed, “This award has become my jubilee. If I were to have a jubilee, I couldn’t bring so many of my friends together, I would have forgotten some of them. I am very grateful to our Association for bringing us together with such beautiful friends in this ceremony.” Afterward, they took a commemorative photo to mark the day.

AFTER THE CEREMONY COCKTAIL: H. ÇİĞDEM YORGANCIOĞLU’S INSIGHTS ON ETHICS, AGILE, AESTHETICS, RHETORIC, AND THE “BLACK BOX” OF JOURNALISM – CLC 360 AND NEW BOOK PREPARATIONS

World traveler, economist, educator, editor, and researcher-writer H. Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu, who attended the event as an invited guest, shared insights into her latest book, which she has recently completed editing. The book delves into 360-degree Ethics, Agile, Aesthetic Rhetoric Press and Journalism, offering a historical and interdisciplinary perspective with a forward-looking approach in both Turkish and English.

Drawing inspiration from H. Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu’s creative, innovative, and design-focused ethical teaching and training programs, the CLC 360 APPROACH presents an original and comprehensive research compilation that reflects the media’s and ethical journalism’s impact on society from a broader perspective. This approach is explored in her work titled “ETHICAL AGILE RHETORIC CLC 360 – THE BLACK BOX OF ETHICAL, AGILE, AESTHETIC JOURNALISM CLC 360”, which she elaborated on as follows: “While introducing this book to interested readers, I also prepared it as material for courses, programs, modules, or workshops within the corporate and academic training, conferences, and curriculum-based events I am currently delivering. I wrote it simultaneously in both Turkish and English. This is the work mentioned, CLC 360 – ETHICAL, AGILE, AESTHETIC RHETORIC AND THE BLACK BOX OF JOURNALISM CLC 360.“

Regarding the motivation behind writing the book, Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu stated:

“Historically, journalists have played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing readers. Journalists have long been regarded as the guardians of truth, responsible for upholding ethical standards and delivering accurate, unbiased news. However, with the rise of social media and digital news platforms, the lines between ethical and unethical journalism have increasingly blurred.”

“Youth, across fields such as science, health, safety, literature, cinema, theater, and art, as well as in education, communication, and philosophy, represent our bright and promising future. They will make significant contributions to these areas without diminishing their enthusiasm for life. They will shape their own futures and ours. As we support them to strengthen before bidding farewell to this world, they will serve us and future generations.”

**“We aim to raise individuals who will be at the forefront of *scientific* and technological advancements, who will maintain critical thinking and inquiry throughout their lives, who will keep their curiosity high, who will have a strong ethical consciousness, and who will weigh things with a fair balance. We want a society with greater awareness, less susceptible to manipulation, and whose ideas are not easily swayed. Since the media holds such power to influence both individuals and society, we tried to reflect on many aspects of the media through a 360-degree tour, reading them in the context of the effects of ethical and unethical media, using the Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu Chi Lange Challenge (CLC 360) Educational Learning Teaching Modules and presenting this perspective to the reader. The universal principles of journalism are clear, and we have strived to view it from this central standpoint.”**

Yorgancıoğlu on CLC 360 – MIM CHI 360 Ethical Journalism: Why?

Yorgancıoğlu continued her remarks regarding CLC 360 – MIM CHI 360 Ethical Journalism with the following:

“First and foremost, it’s a pleasure to be alongside the seasoned veterans of the profession. I believe, and I wish to believe, that many of them also possess the accumulated knowledge and experiences of a generation that values ethical understanding. Our message is to look at journalism through the lens of not only social sciences but also from the perspective of researcher-amateur writers and specialists from various disciplines, and the impact these disciplines have on the press. I do this as well. Look at the motto of the Society, which is written in the mini notepads we were gifted. It says, ‘For independent and unbiased journalism.’”

“Additionally, during the ceremony, Okşan Atasoy, the recent recipient of the Burhan Felek Press Service Award and Burhan Felek’s niece, mentioned in her opening speech that Burhan Felek’s significant characteristic was his impartiality, and she expressed that everyone could have their own truth. Ethical journalism is impartial. In this book, along with this emphasis, I offer insights, observations, and evidence-based explanations on how ethical press can be viewed from agile, aesthetic perspectives without ignoring the new-generation developments in press ethics from various angles, both from the present and looking toward the future. I wrote this book simultaneously in both English and Turkish.”

The Power of Journalism in Shaping Public Opinion and Influencing Elections

Journalists have the power to frame issues, highlight scandals, and shape public opinion through their reporting. As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election approaches, it’s important to recognize the influence of journalism not just in the U.S., but globally. Journalists provide voters with the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box through investigative journalism, interviews, and debates. This accountability function of the media is vital in a democracy, ensuring that candidates are held to high standards and that their actions are scrutinized.

However, the influence of journalists and the media in presidential elections is not without its drawbacks. Often, these disadvantages stem from biased reporting or media outlets prioritizing ratings over responsible journalism. The media, if it chooses, can have the power to influence the outcome of an election or even a country’s future. Press coverage can polarize society or contribute to the spread of misinformation. Naturally, the goal is to avoid such outcomes. This is why I wrote CLC 360 – ETHICAL, AGILE, AESTHETIC, RHETORIC AND THE BLACK BOX OF JOURNALISM.

Recognition of Journalists at the Turkey Journalists’ Association Event

At the recent Turkey Journalists’ Association event, 30 journalists were awarded for their contributions to the field. The Burhan Felek Press Service Awards Selection Committee, comprising figures like Adnan Özyalçıner, Mustafa Bakacak, İhsan Yılmaz, Esat Yılmaer, and others, honored 30 journalists this year. The awards also celebrated those who have been in the profession for over 50 years, such as Alp Orçun, Abdullah Nebioğlu, and Ayşenur Arslan, recognizing their long-standing contributions.

Additionally, Hasan Hüseyin Can, the Deputy Governor of Istanbul, attended the ceremony, which was organized with the participation of members from the TGC Board of Directors, Audit Board, Honorary Board, and various journalists involved in the election commissions.