Held on 21-22 May 2026 in Istanbul as part of the International Press Institute’s 75th anniversary celebrations, the IPI Turkey Journalism Symposium brought together journalists, editors, lawyers, researchers, civil society representatives, and international experts to examine the state of journalism and press freedom from multiple perspectives.
The symposium was built around three interconnected pillars. The first focused on freedom of information (FoI), reflecting IPI Turkey’s ongoing work in this field. Through discussions with journalists, lawyers, civil society actors, and international practitioners, participants explored the barriers to accessing public information in Turkey, shared practical experiences, and examined successful models from other countries.
The second pillar addressed some of the most pressing challenges shaping journalism today, including press freedom, the impact of artificial intelligence, reporting in times of war and crisis, cross-border collaboration, climate journalism, and the economic sustainability of independent media. Together, these sessions highlighted both the structural pressures facing journalists and the innovative approaches emerging in response.
Complementing these discussions was the IPI 75th Anniversary Exhibition, curated from the organization’s extensive archives. By revisiting decades of publications and documentation on Turkey, the exhibition offered a historical perspective on the country’s media landscape while revealing how many of the challenges confronting journalists today have evolvedor, in some cases, persistedover time.
This impact report captures the key discussions, insights, and recommendations that emerged throughout the symposium. By bringing together diverse voices and experiences, the event sought not only to reflect on the current state of journalism but also to strengthen dialogue, encourage collaboration, and contribute to a more resilient and independent media environment in Turkey and beyond.
