This year’s Metin Göktepe Journalism Awards were presented in Istanbul. The award commemorates journalist Metin Göktepe, who was killed in police custody in 1996, while also honoring critical journalism. The ceremony took place at the Hrant Dink Foundation building on April 10, Göktepe’s birthday, and began with a moment of silence for slain media workers. Contributions in the fields of print, video, photography, and local journalism were awarded.
Photo award for Adnan Bilen
The photo award went to Kurdish journalist Adnan Bilen for his photograph “Witness under the Boot.” The image was taken at the end of January in Van during a protest against the offensive of the Syrian transitional government against Rojava and documents the treatment of Emrah Kertiş, a representative of the Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TIHV). The photograph captures a moment in which Kertiş is pinned to the ground while Turkish police use violence against him.
In his speech, Bilen combined the award with a fundamental critique of ongoing repression. “Should we be happy that every year photos of human rights violations are awarded, or should we be saddened that this reality does not change?” he asked. He also referred to the ongoing struggles for rights and dignity, particularly in Kurdistan, and honored the resistance of the people.
Commemoration of slain journalists
Bilen also used his speech to remember colleagues who were killed for their work. He named Cihan Bilgin, Nazım Daştan, Aziz Köylüoğlu, Hêro Bahadîn, and Gulistan Tara, who were killed in targeted drone attacks by the Turkish state in Rojava and South Kurdistan. “They carried the truth from Kurdistan to the world. This award belongs to them,” he said. Bilen also called for the release of imprisoned journalists and urged collective solidarity in the struggle for press freedom.
Awards in multiple categories
In addition to Bilen, many other journalists were honored. The awards recognize works that critically address social and political issues—from human rights violations to social injustices. A special award was also given to imprisoned journalists to draw attention to the increasing restrictions on press freedom.
A symbol of critical journalism
The Metin Göktepe Awards are considered one of the most important honors for independent journalism in Turkey. They traditionally stand for reporting aimed at exposing injustices and defending fundamental rights. The award is named after Metin Göktepe, a reporter for the leftist newspaper “Evrensel.” On January 8, 1996, he was covering the funeral of two political prisoners who had been killed shortly before during the violent suppression of a prison uprising at Ümraniye Prison. Göktepe was detained and beaten to death by police officers.
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