The Presidency's Directorate of Communications held a panel entitled "Journalism in Disaster Zones" as part of the "Disaster Communication Workshop."
Büşra Karaduman Aktuna, Head of the Department of Press and Publications of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, moderated the panel at the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, emphasising the significance of timely and comprehensive coordination in journalism in disaster zones.
Aktuna drew attention to the parallels between war and disaster journalism, adding, "Reporting objectively in disaster zones is of great value, but often challenging. On the one hand, you will strive to adhere to the ethical standards of your profession, while on the other, you will strive to safeguard your health to offer healthy news."
Aktuna also addressed global climate change and said:
"This is an enormous fact that has settled into the centre of our existence, and we can no longer escape it. Due to this, many disasters now strike with more intensity than in the past. Surely, this should not create panic among us, but it should motivate us to action. Journalists offer extremely powerful visuals from disaster zones in an effort to adapt our daily habits accordingly."
"Disaster journalism can never be remote"
Fırat Yurdakul, the editor-in-chief of Anadolu Agency's Visual News Department, began his remarks by asking, "Do you believe more in what you see, hear or read?" He proceeded, "Our starting point is this. I can argue the same thing about war and disaster journalism."
Yurdakul said that journalists are the most powerful sources of information between disaster victims, readers, and viewers and that they are responsible for providing accurate information, adding that their primary objective when reporting in disaster zones is "to portray the current devastating condition, to show the life that continues despite the current circumstances, and to highlight the efforts made to improve the current situation."
Emphasising that remote journalism on war and disaster is impossible, Yurdakul continued:
"There is an unbreakable rule in visual journalism: the closer you are to the scene, and the closer you are to the person who experienced the disaster or war, the stronger the atmosphere is conveyed to the public. You need to be close. Disaster journalism can never be remote. You must be well-prepared and have a good transportation plan and guide for these activities. If you don't work with a competent guide, you will have difficulty presenting news to people."
Noting that the first and most significant duty of the disaster journalists is to protect themselves; otherwise, they would not have the opportunity to convey the right information to the people, Yurdakul wished Allah's mercy upon Sebahattin Yılmaz, Cem Emir and Abdülkadir Nişancı, who lost their lives the line of duty.
Yurdakul remarked that the journalist's reporting centred on topics such as "impact, proximity, emotion, extraordinariness, and timeliness."