Organized by the Global Journalists Council (KGK) and supported by the European Union, the project “Medialab: Fair and Transparent Steps in Digital Media” brought together 70 young people from across Türkiye at Istinye University.
Coordinated by KGK and funded by the Erasmus+ program through the Turkish National Agency on behalf of the European Union, the project “Medialab: Fair and Transparent Steps in Digital Media” (2024-3-TR01-KA154-YOU-000282832) was successfully completed in Istanbul between September 3–7.
Seventy students from 40 different provinces of Türkiye participated in the training program hosted at Istinye University’s Vadi Istanbul Campus, focusing on justice, transparency, and ethical principles in digital media. Throughout the program, workshops and sessions addressed digital media literacy, the fight against disinformation, the ethical boundaries of journalism, and transparent broadcasting. All developments during the camp were shared with the public through transparent updates on social media platforms.
One of the highlights of the camp was a special session that brought the participants together with decision-makers. KGK President Mehmet Ali Dim, KGK Vice President Yakup Aslan, public opinion researchers Çetin Çetinkaya and Cemile Çolak, Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Burcu Şahin, and senior journalist as well as KGK Vice President of the External Media Council Ahmet Coşkunaydın engaged with the students.
During the “Decision-Makers Day” workshop, students voiced their questions and concerns, addressing issues in the field of media and communication. The collectively developed solutions reinforced young participants’ determination to play an active role in media processes.
Governor Gül Attended as Well
On the second day of the camp, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül visited the students, offering guidance for both their professional and personal development, while emphasizing the importance of such initiatives.
At the end of the camp, participants left Istanbul not only as students who had received training but also as individuals contributing their own ideas to the future media landscape. The five-day program allowed young people from diverse regions of Türkiye to come together, share experiences, and build a strong solidarity network around media ethics.
“Actors of Change”
Project contact person Batuhan Aybers reflected on the outcomes of the camp, stating:
“This camp strengthened young people’s active participation in media processes. Students from all across Türkiye not only shared experiences with each other but also had the opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers. Over five days, they not only received training but also had their accommodation, travel, and meals fully covered. Medialab once again demonstrated that young people can be not just spectators but true actors of change.”
Message of Thanks from Mehmet Ali Dim
Expressing his satisfaction with the successful completion of the program, KGK President Mehmet Ali Dim said:
“As a council, we were honored and delighted to play our role in this project. I would like to thank our advisory team members Mr. Çetin and Mr. Batuhan, Istinye University for their excellent hosting, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Peyami Çelikcan and his team, Faculty of Communication member Dr. Özgecan Reyhan Güler and her colleagues, as well as the valuable members of our KGK family who supported the project. Our greatest hope is to meet again in future projects.”
