The co-chair of the Dicle and Fırat Journalists Association (DFG), Selman Çiçek, said that both the pro-government media and the state-aligned media marketed as ‘opposition’ are united in war journalism, harming the process. He stated that in response, they will continue to strengthen peace journalism.
Even in the new process initiated by the call of Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February, the Turkish media persistently refuses to abandon the language of war. Both pro-government outlets and those claiming to be in opposition are in full agreement on this. Newspapers such as Yeni Şafak and Akit, which are close to the government, and Sözcü and Cumhuriyet, which present themselves as government critics, are competing, each driven by different motives to sabotage the process through hostility towards Kurds and Kurdish politics. The same attitude is also seen across television channels from different political camps.
DFG Co-Chair Selman Çiçek spoke to ANF and said that a significant opportunity for democratisation in Turkey emerged with Abdullah Öcalan’s call. However, he noted that despite the steps taken by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has not yet taken any concrete steps. He added that apart from a few occasional positive remarks from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), no meaningful development has taken place. Çiçek continued: “We still have not seen the expected steps from the Commission; instead, there is an approach that delays and stretches out the process. It is clear that the AKP is not taking ownership of this process.”
They are further intensifying their hostile language
Çiçek said that the ruling AKP has failed to stand firmly behind the process, and this has also affected the Turkish media. Çiçek continued: “In this way, the mainstream media continues its old discourse. The mainstream media, which has turned war journalism into a habit, has made no effort to abandon this practice. When it comes to Kurds, they further intensify their hostile language. The failure of mainstream media to adopt a responsible tone has clearly emboldened media outlets opposed to a solution. These outlets, especially Sözcü and Cumhuriyet, which used to flatter Kurds before the process, now compete to declare themselves ‘the strongest opponents’ when it comes to Kurdish rights and gains. They are practically in competition with the mainstream media. We also see that some journalists who have long embraced skull-measuring nationalism continue with the same mentality in this process. This poisonous language has never solved any problem, and it will not solve anything in the future.”
War journalism feeds on blood
Çiçek said that the main purpose of war journalism is to provoke society and set people against one another because it sustains itself through conflict. Çiçek said, “Their mentality is: let the peoples slaughter each other, and we will go from one TV channel to another with a mop handle in our hands. They feed on blood and conflict. Despite all this aggressive language, we still see that a serious level of hostility has not developed within society. That must trouble them, because they have begun to attack even more in recent times.”
Defending peace journalism
Çiçek stated that they will defend peace journalism against this language and work to produce solutions around it. He said, “As DFG, we will hold several meetings in Parliament. In these meetings, we will raise the issue of violations against the press. At the same time, we will explain peace journalism and its importance. We will share international experiences and present examples of how peace journalism has helped bring an end to conflict processes.”
Great responsibility for journalists
Selman Çiçek stressed that as journalists who support this process, they are aware of the responsibility they carry for its success. Çiçek also said, “Our responsibility is to build a language of peace instead of the language of war that dominates the mainstream media. As journalists, we believe that by developing the language of peace journalism, we will help drive the process forward. Whatever happens, we will continue to strengthen peace journalism against the language of war. Peace journalism is truth-oriented.”
The power of peace journalism must be recognised
Çiçek emphasised that peace journalism does not operate through a winner–loser approach but focuses on dialogue and resolution. Çiçek added that it uses a language of empathy and unity instead of hostility and nationalism: “Peace journalism uses a language of hope, love and understanding rather than one that polarises and spreads fear. Our campaign for peace journalism will continue. We will reach out to everyone we can. We will show that those who defend peace journalism are stronger. We believe that as peace journalism develops, the process will accelerate and the parties will become more courageous in solving problems.”