Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Doğan Hatun visited journalists’ organisations on the occasion of 10 January, Working Journalists’ Day, met with press workers, and emphasised the importance of free journalism grounded in truth.

Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Doğan Hatun visited the Dicle Fırat Journalists’ Association (DFG) and the Güneydoğu Journalists’ Association (GGC), meeting with press workers on the occasion of 10 January, Working Journalists’ Day. In addition to Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Doğan Hatun, the meeting was attended by DEM Party Provincial Co-Chairs Gülşen Özer and Abbas Şahin, Yenişehir Municipality Co-Mayor Safiye Akdağ, Kayapınar Municipality Co-Mayor Berivan Gülşen Sincar, Sur Municipality Co-Mayor Adnan Örhan, and Bağlar Municipality Co-Mayor Siraç Çelik.

Hatun: We learn all the truths through you

During the visits, Co-Mayor Hatun congratulated press workers on their day and underlined that journalists undertake a sacred and unique duty. Stating that they learn all of life’s information through journalists—from sport to politics, from everyday events to moments filled with joy and happiness—Hatun said: “We know that when someone who works hard, thinks freely, and expresses their views freely produces news, they will build that news on truth. However, those who do not want the truth always seek to prevent the public from being informed of the real facts and target press workers.”

“Press workers are the ones who pay the price for truth”

Hatun drew attention to the heavy price paid by press workers in many parts of the world, recalling the examples of Palestine and Aleppo. Stating that journalists who inform the public are targeted in war and conflict zones, Hatun said this lays bare the extent of pressure on the press.

“Despite all the pressure, you are undertaking a sacred labour”

Emphasising that press workers carry out their duties under intense pressure, Hatun continued as follows: “When hegemonic powers do not want the public to learn the truth, they take it out on press workers. For this reason, you are undertaking a sacred labour. Health to the hands of all press workers who sweat in the field to ensure the public is properly informed. As local governments, we are always by your side.”

“Journalists are society’s eyes and ears”

DEM Party Provincial Co-Chair Gülşen Özer also noted that journalists work with great dedication under difficult conditions, saying that press workers—society’s eyes and ears—shoulder an important responsibility.

“Without a free press, there can be no free society”

DEM Party Provincial Co-Chair Abbas Şahin likewise stated that journalists work under very harsh conditions, adding that a free press can exist only through great effort.

Dicle Fırat Journalists’ Association Co-Chair Kesira Önel expressed her thanks for the visits, saying, “We inherited this legacy from our colleagues before us, and we will continue to sustain it.”

Güneydoğu Journalists’ Association President Felat Bozarslan congratulated journalists on their day and expressed his satisfaction with the visit.