Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Serra Bucak attended the 40th Traditional Successful Journalists of the Year Awards Ceremony organised by the Southeastern Journalists’ Association (GGC) to promote high-quality journalism, highlight successful work and contribute to the development of the profession.

The ceremony, held at a hotel, was attended by Co-Mayor Bucak, DEM Party Diyarbakır Provincial Co-Chair Gülşen Özer, DBB Assembly Co-Spokesperson Demet Ceylan and council members, district municipality co-mayors, MPs, representatives of political parties and civil society organisations, and numerous members of the press.

Celebrating 40 Years of Tradition

Speaking at the ceremony, Co-Mayor Serra Bucak noted that Türkiye was going through a difficult period and that social and political debates risked leading to further polarisation. She said:

“In such a country, being in opposition, taking a stand against the government and defending people’s rights are all extremely difficult. Yet for journalists, witnessing all these struggles for rights, standing up for those who are right and working to ensure that people have access to accurate information is a challenging but equally rewarding, exciting and deeply meaningful responsibility. Few countries have experienced a period that is both this difficult and this significant. Today, I would like to remember Musa Anter, a towering figure in the tradition of the free press. Tomorrow marks the anniversary of his death. Thirty-four years have passed. Alongside Musa Anter, the murders of many other journalists have remained unresolved and unpunished. Our region is a very challenging place for journalists. I would like to pay tribute to all the journalists who lost their lives in this struggle.”

‘A Press Museum Would Be a Great Fit for This City’

Congratulating the journalists who received awards, Co-Mayor Bucak said they would continue to support the local press and local representatives of the national media. Saying that “a press museum would be a great fit for this city”, Co-Mayor Bucak expressed her wish to establish a press museum in Diyarbakır that would serve the whole region together with all the institutions and organisations in the city.

‘A Language of Peace in the Media Can Only Emerge Through the Efforts of Media Workers’

Stating that the media was one of the most important pillars of the Peace and Democratic Society Process, Co-Mayor Bucak said: “Unfortunately, we are seeing very little sign that the language used by the media is moving towards peace. A language of peace in the media can only emerge through the efforts of media workers.”

Co-Mayor Bucak Presents Award to Zilan Azad

Co-Mayor Bucak presented the interview award to Zilan Azad of İlke TV.

This year’s competition, held for the 40th time, saw awards presented in a wide range of categories, including written news, TV news and interviews. Alongside awards recognising professional achievements, special awards were also presented to individuals and organisations that had demonstrated social awareness and contributed to raising awareness of social issues.

The ceremony concluded with a group photograph after the awards were presented.