Turkish Journalists Association awards Cumhuriyet TV Press Freedom Award

The Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Press Freedom Awards, with Cumhuriyet TV honored in the institutional category. The award specifically recognizes Cumhuriyet TV for its "journalistic approach that steadfastly defends press freedom without compromising independent journalism principles and Republican values, despite pressures, censorship, and publication bans."

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Press freedom is not only for journalists to practice their professions freely but also a guarantee of the public's right to learn the truth and receive accurate news.

During the award ceremony, TGC President Vahap Munyar delivered a speech emphasizing that July 24 is not just a day of remembrance but also a symbol of the struggle for press freedom. He asserted that press freedom is an indispensable element of contemporary democracies, serving as a guarantee not only for journalists to practice their profession freely but also for the public's right to learn the truth and receive accurate news. Munyar pointed out the numerous challenges journalists in Turkey face, including censorship, self-censorship, restricted access to information, publication bans, heavy fines, suspension of official advertisements, detentions, and arrests. He also noted the increasing psychological and physical violence directed at media workers.

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Journalism is not a crime.

Representing Cumhuriyet TV, General Yayın Coordinator Ercan Erdal accepted the award. He dedicated it to all Cumhuriyet employees whose hard work contributes to their journalism, from those on-screen and in newsrooms to those at computers, editing desks, and in the field, pursuing truth with their cameras and microphones. Erdal highlighted that Cumhuriyet's journalistic approach has faced significant trials over the years, with young reporters being detained and fighting legal battles simply for reporting the news and documenting facts. He stated that their unwavering courage and persistence are the true recipients of the award.

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This valuable award; I accept it on behalf of all my Cumhuriyet colleagues who sweat it out on screen, in our news center, at their computers, at the editing desk, in the field, and who chase the truth with their cameras and microphones.

Erdal also acknowledged July 24 as an important day that reminds people of solidarity against censorship and suppression. He affirmed that their compass remains independent journalism, supported by a 102-year-old legacy from Yunus Nadi to Uğur Mumcu and rooted in core Republican values. He concluded by expressing hope for a future where they can meet in a free environment, free from oppression and censorship, where only news matters.

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Our compass has always been independent journalism, our support is the 102-year-old honorable legacy extending from Yunus Nadi to Uğur Mumcu and the deep-rooted Republican values.