Recently Bilkent students have had the opportunity to learn more about media issues through two meetings organized by Medya Kulübü. Three weeks ago, Fatih Karaca, a member of RTÜK (the Supreme Board of Radio and Television), came to Bilkent to discuss RTÜK and its role in the Turkish media. The following week, Hulki Cevizoğlu (producer for Ceviz Kabuğu) and Mehmet Akarca (Kanal D - Ankara Coordinator) visited our university to exchange views on "Popular Culture and the Media". These meetings enabled students to gain a broader perspective about the media, and in particular about the medium of television-its ethics, restrictions, and expectations.
Fatih Karaca's speech was very informative, as he put a human face on the decisions and workings of RTÜK. By responding to a number of questions, he cleared up some misunderstandings about this institution in many minds. One of the most important conclusions coming out of the meeting was that each TV channel should have a self-control mechanism operating before broadcasts and that it is embarrassing to have to officially react to radio and television broadcasts after the fact.
Adding to the excitement, several TV channels, including TRT1, TRT2, Show TV, STAR, Flash TV, and Kanal7, broadcast portions of the meeting on their prime-time news.
During the "Popular Culture and the Media" meeting, Hulki Cevizoğlu and Mehmet Akarca shared their experiences and personal thoughts with students concerning some specific media issues, particularly the violence on TV programs and the prominence of entertainment reports during networks' prime-time news. Students and guests exchanged views on these and other concerns and discussed alternatives to the current situation.
Look out for more interesting meetings and presentations organized by Medya Kulübü and broaden your point of view on one of contemporary society's most powerful forces: the media.
Gizem Alagöz (COMD/II)
