5th Global Journalism Council annual meeting: 41 countries gather to shape the future of media
More than 300 journalists, media professionals, and academics from 41 countries convened in the Turkish city of Alanya for the Annual Gathering of the Global Council of Journalism (GJC), also known as the Turkish Küresel Gazeteciler Konseyi (KGK).
A Platform for cooperation and ethical journalism
The Global Journalism Council (GJC), founded in Ankara in 2019, aims to foster collaboration between journalists across borders and strengthen the role of media in building peace and understanding.
ICJ President Mehmet Ali Dim emphasized that journalism today must go beyond information delivery, acting instead as “the conscience of humanity.”
With members from all 81 Turkish provinces and more than 40 countries worldwide, the ICJ has become a leading voice in advocating ethical journalism, combating misinformation, and developing media diplomacy as a bridge between cultures. Representing Hungary, Alpár Kató — owner and editor-in-chief of Daily News Hungary and Helló Magyar — joined discussions on media diplomacy, digital transformation, and the role of journalism in promoting global dialogue.
Exploring Alanya’s culture and heritage
Before the main sessions, delegates explored Alanya’s unique blend of history and hospitality.
They visited the Alanya Castle, overlooking the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, and descended by cable car to the city center to tour the Alanya Archaeological Museum — home to artefacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras.
The day concluded with a stroll through Alanya’s bustling bazaar, where the scent of spices and the vibrancy of local life reflected Türkiye’s living cultural heritage.
Minister Uraloğlu: “Türkiye is becoming a global logistics power”
The plenary meeting was attended by Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, who delivered a keynote address outlining the country’s remarkable progress in transportation and communication infrastructure.
Uraloğlu stated that under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership, Türkiye has invested approximately 300 billion USD in the transport sector since 2002 — transforming the nation into a rising global logistics power.
“We have expanded our divided highway network from 6,101 to 29,947 kilometers and our motorway system from 1,714 to 3,796 kilometers,” he said. “We are now only one step away from the monumental 30,000-kilometer mark — an achievement we share with you, the journalists who amplify the voice of truth.”
He also underlined the growing importance of rail transport, noting that railway investments now account for 57 percent of the ministry’s budget, up from 33 percent in 2013.
“Our goal is to extend the railway network to 28,590 kilometers. We have already completed 2,251 kilometers of high-speed lines, bringing regions closer and creating a more connected Türkiye.”
The minister added that communication technologies are advancing rapidly:
“Following the successful launch of our domestic satellite, TÜRKSAT 6A, Türkiye joined the select group of 11 countries capable of manufacturing satellites. With the introduction of 5G services in April 2026, communication speeds will increase tenfold, empowering journalists to transmit high-quality visuals and data in seconds.”
He concluded by reminding that as information travels faster than ever, the responsibility of journalists grows equally:
“Preventing disinformation has become one of our era’s greatest challenges. The integrity of honest journalism is vital for strengthening democracy, development, and social unity.”
Workshops and the Role of International Media
The conference’s professional sessions focused on the future of journalism in the age of artificial intelligence, digital media, and social transformation. Delegates discussed ethical reporting, fact-checking practices, and ways to preserve cultural heritage amid rapid technological change.
During the workshop for the Foreign Media Council, Elshad Eyvazlı, its President, delivered an opening address highlighting the international media’s mission in fostering transparency and cross-cultural dialogue. He emphasized that “in an era when information travels faster than truth, journalists must remain anchors of reliability and mutual understanding.”
His remarks set the tone for a vibrant exchange between representatives from South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, all focusing on the shared challenges of digital communication and public trust in journalism.
Strengthening Cooperation: TURKSOY and ICJ Sign Strategic Protocol
One of the key outcomes of the gathering was the signing of a strategic cooperation protocol between the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) and the International Council of Journalism.
The agreement, signed by Sultan Raev, Secretary-General of TURKSOY, and Mehmet Ali Dim, President of the ICJ, aims to promote collaboration in media, culture, and communication.
The document outlines joint media projects, digital transformation initiatives, and programs designed to enhance the global visibility of Turkic cultural identity.
“Media plays a crucial role in preserving our shared language, thought, and traditions,” said Raev.
“Through this partnership, we aim to make the voice of the Turkic world heard around the globe.”
Gala Night: Honoring Journalism that Builds Peace
The Global Journalism Council’s four-day program concluded with an elegant gala at the Lonicera Hotel, attended by diplomats, media executives, and senior officials.
Among the distinguished guests were Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye; Afrim Gashi, Speaker of the Parliament of North Macedonia; and Sultan Raev, Secretary-General of TURKSOY.
The ceremony celebrated individuals and organizations contributing to peace, truth, and ethical communication through journalism. During the evening, Alpár Kató, editor-in-chief and owner of Daily News Hungary and Helló Magyar, was honored with the Media Friendship Award for his balanced and professional contribution to international journalism.
The event concluded with a moving performance by Azerbaijani artist Gülyanaq Mammadova, whose rendition of “Çırpınırdın Karadeniz” — a song symbolizing unity across the Turkic world — received a standing ovation.
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In other words, coordinate the narrative to serve up to the masses.
These people stopped being journalists and reporters a long time ago. In the U.S. it began right around the time of the Viet Nam war; in Eastern Europe it was at the onset of the Communist dictatorship, followed by a blip of actual journalism in the 1990s, and then they went hard globalist in the late 2000s.