Women journalists: MKGP is an important meeting place

img
ISTANBUL - Stating that the MKGP is an important field of struggle that provides solidarity among women journalists, women journalists said: “Kurdish women journalists have a great share in changing the masculine language. The platform gives confidence with its work, it is an important address.”
 
The Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform (MKGP), which was established on May 3, 2017 as a field of struggle by women journalists working in news agencies, radio and TV, which was closed with the Decree-Law, has left 6 years behind. While the platform aims to make all kinds of anti-democratic practices visible on the basis of solidarity, dozens of platform member female journalists were detained during this period, and lawsuits were filed against them, demanding prison terms of up to years. 18 platform members are still in detention.
 
Women journalists in Istanbul talked about its platform and solidarity.
 
'THE AIM IS TO CHANGE MASCULINE'
 
Pointing out that the pressure on the press has increased with the AKP government, Ekmek and Gül editor Elif Ekin Saltık said: “It is difficult to be a journalist in Turkish conditions, but it is even more difficult to be a female journalist. When we go out on the field, we are exposed to both the harassment and violence of our news sources and the violence of the police. But despite all this, women journalists do not step back and work to change and transform the media space. In this sense, JINNEWS, Jin TV, Bread and Rose or other women's platforms began to change and transform the masculine space of the media. It is important for us that the MKGP periodically makes statements regarding violations of rights and carries out activities for imprisoned journalists in terms of a completely free press. It increases the visibility of women's words."
 
ATTACKS AGAINST THE FREE PRESS
 
Referring to the recent operations against JINNEWS and Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporters, Saltık said: "Journalists were arrested just because of the news they made. Women journalists are being tried to be subdued in particular. Our friends did not bow down. In the face of all these repression policies, we are trying to change that masculine language in the media. That is why we call on women journalists to be included in these platforms, to be in solidarity and to be transformed.”
 
THE ROLE OF KURDISH WOMEN JOURNALISTS
 
Aktif News Agency (ETHA) reporter Elif Bayburt reminded the pressures against the Kurdish press and said that the government puts the journalists who take a stand with the people under pressure. Bayburt said: “This oppressive regime did not exist only with the AKP government. It is a century old tradition. Anyone who pays attention to the Kurdish issue and makes news about it is a target. The regime has an anti-Kurdish and male character. In this sense, female journalists are directly targeted because they expose the Kurdish and misogynistic character of the state. The journalists who can best reflect this truth are Kurdish women journalists. The role played by Kurdish women journalists during this period stands in a very unique and key place in terms of the free press tradition.”
 
NAGIHAN AKARSEL, GURBETELLI ERSÖZ
 
Stating that Kurdish women journalists have made many important contributions to the opposition press, Bayburt said: "It is necessary to remember Nagihan Akarsel and Gurbetelli Ersöz, who were assassinated. It made great contributions to the masculine language. Examples such as JINNEWS and Jin TV are actually the first examples in Turkey. In this sense, the Kurdish press tradition is given special importance. For exactly the reasons we have listed, the tradition created by these colleagues, the dynamic they created actually revealed a whole other level for all of us. We learned a lot from each other and shared a lot. Kurdish women journalists have a great share in changing that masculine language. That share can never be ignored.”
 
THE PLATFORM GIVES CONFIDENCE
 
Stating that Kurdish women journalists come to mind first when talking about the opposition press, Agence France-Press (AFP) reporter Eylül Deniz Yaşar said: "The Kurdish press tradition, which comes from Musa Anter, is a very important figure for anyone starting opposition journalism, I think the establishment of the MKGP is the most meaningful and valuable thing in the press community. It is reassuring that female journalists can defend their colleagues against violence in the field and continue to do so in a legal sense. I think that we have an important address to increase the contact points of women journalists with each other. Kurdish women journalists have a leading role in determining the language of the media. In this sense, let's not leave Kurdish women journalists alone.”
 
MA / Esra Solin Dal
 

View More Articles

26/03/2024
12:12 Hunger strike in prisons its 5th month
10:23 Journalist Drewş: KDP is acting as a guard for Turkey
25/03/2024
15:42 Ban on Mount Gabar extended for the 7th time
15:41 75 years Yıldız deteriorate in prison
15:40 Kaval, who beaten in detention, releases
15:09 'Preparation for genocide against Kurds in the shadow of March elections'
14:03 Asrın Law Firm: Imralı Island is kept behind a veil of myster
12:27 Yıldız's son, who was taken to prison on a stretcher: She cannot stay in prison
12:00 No news from Journalist Ahmet for 153 days
11:59 Hunger strike in prisons on its 120th day
10:35 The new issue of Xwebûn is out: Agirê Newrozê li ezman jî vêket
10:34 Police violence in Colemêrg
23/03/2024
11:59 Lawsuit filed against 4 prisoners due to prison news in press
11:19 Hunger strike in prisons on its 118th day
11:18 No news from Journalist Ahmet for 151 days
10:28 Call for unity from Şirnex people against possible attacks
10:14 Family worries about life of 80-year-old ill prisoner
10:09 Drought grows: Solution in ecological agriculture
09:51 ISIS claims responsibility for Moscow attack
22/03/2024
22:20 2 young people arrests in Mêrdîn: Backhandcuff torture at the door of the judgeship and prosecutor's office
21:50 Armed attack on concert hall in Moscow: 14 dead
21:24 Women's film from DEM Party Women's Assembly
21:23 Hatimoğulları visits Senyaşar family in front of Ministry of Justice
21:22 ISIS murdered 2 people
20:53 4 ESP members arrests in Izmir
20:53 Newroz celebrations from Kobanê to Lebanon
14:11 Detained during Newroz releases
14:10 Journalist Ahmet missing for 150 days
12:32 Rising demands from Newroz area
12:03 Hunger strike demand 'freedom for Ocalan' on its 117th day
12:00 Enthusiasm of ‘Good News’ echoed in Amed Newroz
11:47 Increasing meat prices, people started buy bones
21/03/2024
21:44 Outer door of Ministry of Justice also closed to Şenyaşar
21:24 126 detainee in Amed after Newroz
14:12 Newroz fire lit in Amed
12:39 Kemal Kurkut commemorated
12:36 Message from Kışanak to glorious Newroz: Now is the DEM to gain freedom
12:30 Amed Newroz starts with participation of hundreds of thousands
12:27 Hunger strike on its 116th day
12:26 Youngs fill Newroz area
12:25 Final Newroz in Amed
20/03/2024
16:17 Newroz enthusiasm in Erdiş
14:17 AKP-MHP took ministers to the field
12:19 'We will walk to freedom with Newroz'
12:18 Bianet dismissed three editors due to downsizing
12:16 Hunger strike demand 'freedom for Ocalan' on its 115th day
12:11 No news from Journalist Ahmet for 148 days
12:02 Journalist Dicle: KDP is at the center of the attack plan
10:55 'Newroz good news' announced: Opportunity to neutralize UCAVs found
19/03/2024
14:19 Lawyer Gezer: Prisoners will continue their protests until their demands are met