Violence against Women in the Media

Bahçeşehir University Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Dr. Haluk Gürgen took part in "Muhabbet Kralı," the program prepared and presented by Okan Bayülgen, in which violence against women was discussed. Gürgen said, "Photographs of violence encourage violence."

THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH OF BRUTALITY

The program began with Bayülgen asking for views on photographs of violence published in newspapers. Regarding the photograph that has drawn reactions recently, Gürgen said, "I think it was not easy to print this photograph either. The person or newspaper that decided to publish the photograph says this will be important for raising awareness of a problem. I think this is a well-intentioned act. But I also have serious doubts about whether the desired benefit will be achieved with this photograph."

THE PHOTOGRAPH MAY SERVE TO DRAW THE STATE'S ATTENTION

Stating that the question of whom the photograph will benefit is noteworthy, Gürgen said, "At most, this benefit may create a little more pressure on the state to take measures on the issue, both legislative and otherwise. Because with such a violent photograph, tension rises, and it may lead to increased sensitivity on the issue. But I do not think it will cause the perpetrator of violence to refrain from the act of violence. Unfortunately, in people's evaluations of this matter, this photograph will be looked at but not seen. Because people do not see violent things. They withdraw through habit and desensitization."

PHOTOGRAPHS OF VIOLENCE ENCOURAGE VIOLENCE

Saying that under an intense bombardment of communication people also confuse real violence with the violence they perceive, Gürgen said the same thing happened during the Iraq war. He continued, "We sat in our homes and watched the Iraq war. In short, I have serious doubts that people show the necessary sensitivity. Another point is that there is research showing that such photographs are also effective in encouraging violence in society."

IS IT ETHICAL TO PRINT THE PHOTOGRAPH?

On whether printing such photographs is ethical in terms of journalism, Prof. Dr. Haluk Gürgen said:

"Ethically, it is also worth defining the sensitivity of journalism and the media on these issues. It has been found that the decision not to print news and photographs of suicides led to a significant decrease in suicides. I am speaking while also taking into account the good intentions behind printing this photograph; through a woman who was horribly killed, you are intruding on her private life. You neither get permission from her relatives nor show any sensitivity. You publish it as it is, naked."

THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE PUNISHED MAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED

Gürgen said that it would be beneficial to effectively use the tools that create a social learning environment to draw attention to the issue. He explained: "When you shape the main storyline of a highly rated television series around such an issue, it will be more effective in conveying messages about the issue to people and changing their behavior.""

Gürgen's final remark summed up the issue: "If, instead of the woman's photograph, a photograph of the man having received a truly exemplary punishment had been published, in my opinion and to my knowledge, it would have been much more effective.""