Relationship Between Media and Politics Assessed at the School of Politics

In its 7th week, the School of Politics organized by the School of Government and Leadership (HLO) assessed the relationship between media and politics.

The first session featured anchorman and author Ali Kırcaassessing "Media and Politics" . Answering the question "Should there be a relationship between media and politics?", Kırca reminded that he is against an organic and functional relationship between media and politics, and stated that existing problems arise because media and politics are institutions that influence each other. Also assessing the relative weight of media and politics in this relationship, Kırca added that every politician tries to influence the media during their term and seeks to steer politics in this way.

In the second session, with the participation of Yeni Asya Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Kazım Güleçyüz, the topic "Religion, State and Secularism" was assessed. Referring to the concept of secularism, he stated that it has been debated for years and that a consensus has still not been reached. He noted that the term secularism entered the Constitution in 1937 and is one of the most debated issues, adding that a democratic interpretation is necessary to overcome the tension over secularism.

"Modernization, Religion and Politics" was assessed in the third session with the participation of Bahçeşehir University faculty member Dr. Gerrit Steunebrink. Stating that philosophers in Türkiye are approached with prejudice, he emphasized that philosophers are seen as atheists. However, he said this is not the case, noting that his field of expertise is the philosophy of religion and that this would not be possible. Referring to modernization, he stated that the concepts of modernization and Westernization are actually different and that modernization is perceived as Christianity.

The fourth session featured Iğdır Member of Parliament and Member of the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committees of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Dr. Sinan Oğanassessing "Media and Democratization in Türkiye" . Beginning his speech by saying, "No country whose media is under control can democratize," Oğan emphasized that it is wrong, regardless of the party, for businesspeople close to the government to pool money to buy channels or newspapers. Referring to press freedom, he stated that the media should give a voice not only to the government but also to the opposition.

In the final session, İstanbul Member of Parliament and Republican People's Party Deputy Chair Gürsel Tekin assessed "General and Local Politics" . He stated that one indispensable element of democracy is local elections and another is the will of the nation. He noted that the will of the nation starts in the neighborhood and extends to the district, the county and the province. Emphasizing that democracy has four main elements and that democracy cannot be spoken of if one of them does not function, he stated that these are the legislature, the executive, the judiciary and the media.