The Turkish Press Council (Basın Konseyi) has revised its Code of Professional Ethics for Journalists for the first time in 38 years, adapting it to the rapidly evolving realities of the digital age. The updated principles were officially introduced at a press conference and are now available in multiple languages on the Council’s official website: www.basinkonseyi.org.tr.
“The realities of the digital world made this update essential”
In her opening remarks, Pınar Türenç, Chair of the Press Council, emphasized that the revision reflects the transformative changes taking place in journalism:
“With the rise of social media, the integration of artificial intelligence into journalism, and the fact that almost anyone can now act as a publisher, updating our ethical standards became a necessity,” she stated.
The revision process took eight months and incorporated international standards, academic expertise, and input from veteran journalists. The result is a concise set of 16 ethical principles aimed at guiding journalists in today’s fast-paced media environment.
Türenç noted that the Council receives an average of 100 complaints each year but sees its role as extending beyond complaints to also safeguard freedom of expression and guide professional practice.
She added: “We prioritized creating a brief yet clear text that could be applied practically, rather than long booklets. Our aim is to offer journalists meaningful guidance that is both accessible and impactful.”
According to Türenç, press councils in countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo are also expected to take inspiration from this updated framework.
She concluded by thanking all experts who contributed to the process and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to ethical oversight in the media, the defense of press freedom, and providing guidance to journalists.
The press conference ended with a Q&A session followed by a luncheon.