With the support of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Turkey Office, the Hrant Dink Foundation implemented its Turkey-Armenia Journalists’ Dialogue Program in Turkey between May 13-18, 2023. In the 11th year of the programme, which aims to strengthen ties between journalists from Turkey and Armenia and contribute to the establishment of direct and accurate means of exchanging news, a group of 5 journalists from Armenia visited Turkey to cover the first round of the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Journalists representing Armenpress News Agency, Radio Free Europe Armenian Service (Azatutyun), CivilNet, PanArmenia.net and Aravot Daily Newspaper had the opportunity to come together with their counterparts in Istanbul and Ankara. On the day of the election the journalists visited a polling station and observed the voting process. On May 15, 2023, a round-table discussion was organised with the participation of Turkey-based journalists and civil society representatives. Participants from the two countries discussed the challenges they face as journalists, particularly with respect to freedom of speech, the role of civil society in Turkey-Armenia normalisation, the result and effects of the elections in Turkey, Turkey-Azerbaijan relations and their impact on Armenia-Turkey negotiations. A number of individual meetings were organised with politicians, think tanks, and media outlets in Istanbul and Ankara. Of particular interest were the meetings with representatives of the fact checking agency Teyit.org and the online media portal Bianet. During their discussions, the representatives from Turkey and Armenia came up with many common practices as well as ways in which they can collaborate.

As part of their visit, the journalists met with representatives of the Armenian-language press in Turkey including the Agos, Jamanak and Marmara newspapers. They also came together with representatives of various Armenian foundations such as churches, schools, an Armenian hospital and a publishing house. During these conversations the participants had first hand accounts of the challenges the Armenian community in Turkey faces, their post-election expectations and Turkey-Armenia relations.

The participants of the dialogue program prepared numerous articles and videos which were made available online. The Turkey-Armenia journalists’ dialogue program allowed the participants to establish new networks and channels of communication, particularly with online media outlets.

Apart from the official meetings, the journalists had an opportunity to explore the Armenian culture in Istanbul and visit some prominent cultural sites.

From the press:

The state of Turkey's economy affects the community Civilnet
The second round of elections is a formality Civilnet
Turkey is going to the second round, the results are unpredictable Civilnet
Turkey is electing a president and parliament today Azatutyun
How are the elections in Turkey, Karlen Aslanyan reports from Istanbul Azatutyun
Second round of presidential elections will most likely be held in Turkey Azatutyun
How will the elections in Turkey affect Turkey-Armenia relations? Azatutyun
"This is not good news." Paylan, expects Erdogan to win the second round of the elections Azatutyun
Both possible outcomes of the elections are already negatively perceived by the Istanbul Armenian community Azatutyun
Marmara newspaper editor: Kiliçdaroğlu’s victory may benefit Turkey-Armenia relations Azatutyun
The most decisive presidential and parliamentary elections of recent years are taking place in Turkey Armenpress
Erdogan does not overcome the ban of the opposition candidate in the first round of presidential elections Armenpress
Istanbul-Armenian businessman does not expect a change in Turkey's state policy towards Armenia after the elections Armenpress
Armenians will be more silent during this period. Paylan is disappointed with the results of the Turkish elections Armenpress
The newly elected parliament of Turkey will have only one Armenian member Armenpress
Ari Haddeciyan, editor of Marmara newspaper: “We wish for Armenia and Turkey to be in peace” Armenpress
Editor of Jamanak newspaper not pessimistic about normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations Armenpress
The mood in Istanbul after the elections. Erdogan's indicators are gradually decreasing Aravot
President and parliament are being elected in Turkey: Erdogan, Kılıçdaroğlu or the second round? Aravot
Today, only the Zangezur Corridor is left as a real politic. Aravot
“We have two homelands, Turkey and Armenia. We long for our two homelands to be at peace with each other.” Aravot
"A new, negative phase is expected in Turkey-Armenia relations" Aravot
"There is a more nationalist parliament, more nationalist alliances. This is not good news for Turkey-Armenia relations" Aravot
If they file a complaint for the statue, then we should also file a complaint that there is a Talat Pasha Street and Talat Pasha School in the Armenian districts. Aravot
"I don't think that this or that president will be able to change state policy in Turkey." Aravot
Turkey's chosen target: Nationalism_PostRegion Voice of Yerevan
Turkey's chosen target: Nationalism PanArmenianNet

 
This dialogue program was implemented with the support of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Türkiye Office.