The Relationship between State and Media and its effect on Conflict Resolution DPI Roundtable Meeting, Mardin 29 June 2013 2 The Relationship between State and Media and its effect on Conflict Resolution DPI Roundtable Meeting, Mardin 29 June 2013 June 2013 3 Published by Democratic Progress Institute 11 Guilford Street London WC1N 1DH United Kingdom www.democraticprogress.org [email protected] +44 (0)203 206 9939 First published, September 2013 ISBN: 978-1-905592-76-0 © DPI – Democratic Progress Institute, 2013 DPI – Democratic Progress Institute is a charity registered in England and Wales. Registered Charity No. 1037236. Registered Company No. 2922108. This publication is copyright, but may be reproduced by any method without fee or prior permission for teaching purposes, but not for resale. For copying in any other circumstances, prior written permission must be obtained from the publisher, and a fee may be payable.be obtained from the publisher, and a fee may be payable 4 The Relationship between State and Media and its effect on Conflict Resolution Contents Foreword ....................................................................................6 Welcome and Introduction .........................................................9 Opening Remarks ......................................................................9 Session One: International Examples and Lessons Learned.……………………...….………... ............................13 Session Two: The Role of the Media in Turkish Conflict Resolution ...............................................................................69 Conclusion .............................................................................130 Appendix ................................................................................131 Participants from Turkey ....................................................131 International Participants ...................................................133 DPI Board and Council of Experts .....................................134 5 The Relationship between State and Media and its effect on Conflict Resolution Foreword This report details the discussion that took place during the Democratic Progress Institute’s roundtable meeting in Mardin, Turkey on 29th June 2013, regarding the relationship between the State and the Media, particularly in conflict resolution processes. As developments continue to move forward at a fast pace in Turkey, the media will play an important role. We hope that this record of the discussions that took place in Mardin will provide a step towards negotiating the relationships and roles of the media in conflict resolution. This roundtable discussion is one of a series of the Institute’s Turkey activities on the subject of Media and Conflict Resolution. Many thanks to the speakers and everyone who participated in this spirited and thought provoking dialogue. DPI aims to foster an environment in which different parties share information, ideas, knowledge and concerns connected to the development of democratic solutions and outcomes. Our work supports the development of a pluralistic political arena capable of generating consensus and ownership over work on key issues surrounding democratic solutions at political and local levels. We focus on providing expertise and practical frameworks to encourage stronger public debates and involvements in promoting peace and democracy building internationally. Within this context DPI aims to contribute to the establishment of a structured public dialogue on peace and democratic advancement, as well as to create 6 The Relationship between State and Media and its effect on Conflict Resolution new and widen existing platforms for discussions on peace and democracy building. In order to achieve this we seek to encourage an environment of inclusive, frank, structured discussions whereby different parties are in the position to openly share knowledge, concerns and suggestions for democracy building and strengthening across multiple levels. DPI’s objective throughout this process is to identify common priorities and develop innovative approaches to participate in and influence the process of finding democratic solutions. DPI also aims to support and strengthen collaboration between academics, civil society and policy-makers through its projects and output. Comparative studies of relevant situations are seen as an effective tool for ensuring that the mistakes of others are not repeated or perpetuated. Therefore we see comparative analysis of models of peace and democracy building to be central to the achievement of our aims and objectives. This report was prepared with the kind assistance of Judith Sijstermans. Kerim Yildiz Director Democratic Progress Institute September 2013 7 The Relationship between State and Media and its effect on Conflict Resolution Participants in DPI’s roundtable meeting at Mardin Artuklu University (from left to right, top to bottom): Ceren Sözeri, Hamza Aktan, Riada Akyol, Mustafa Akyol, Neslihan Özgünes, Aslı Tunç, Feray Salman, Dr. Kathleen Cavanaugh, DPI Council of Experts member Dr. Edel Hughes, Doğan Akın, DPI Programme Manager Eleanor Johnson, Hande Özhabeş, Nur Kırmızıdağ, Necip Çapraz, Ahmet Ay, Yavuz Baydar, Mahmut Mutman, Tom Kelly, Ferda Balancar, Yigit Aksakoğlu, David Gorman, Ahmet Akgül, Kadri Salaz, DPI Director Kerim Yildiz, Oral Çalışlar, Bejan Matur, DPI Council of Experts member Professor Penny Green, Owen Bowcott, Bayram Zilan, DPI Council of Experts member Cengiz Çandar, Vahap Çoşkun, Muzaffer Duru, Ayhan Bilgen, Hüseyin Aykol, Havva Kök, Esra Elmas of DPI and Cansu Çamlıbel 8 The Relationship between State and Media and its effect on Conflict Resolution Welcome and Introduction Opening Remarks – Bejan Matur1 The Democratic Progress Institute asked me to give the opening speech for this meeting. I also see myself as a host here today. It is easier for me to be a host here in Mardin, than in other places. This historical atmosphere here in Mardin will provide a good setting for me to discuss conflict resolution. Today we will continue discussions which began during previous DPI roundtables surrounding media and will specifically look at the role of the media in conflict resolution, here in Turkey and elsewhere. There are some newcomers with us today so I would like to give some information on DPI. DPI stands for the Democratic Progress Institute. It is an organisation based in London that works on conflict resolution, and as one of its programmes focuses on Turkey, and the Kurdish conflict. We have politicians, writers and journalists with us. We have a special structuring specific to the domain. We have conducted a number of comparative study visits, firstly to the UK to examine the British experience (in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland then Wales) and we have also visited the Republic of Ireland and South Africa recently. In all of those places we have tried to understand and to share with people who 1 Bejan Matur is a renowned Turkey based Author and Poet. She was previously a columnist for Zaman newspaper, focusing mainly on Kurdish politics, the Armenian issue, daily politics, minority problems, prison literature, and women’s issues. Bejan Matur has won several literary prizes and her work has been translated into 17 languages. She is the Former Director of the Diyarbakır Cultural Art Foundation (DKSV). 9 The Relationship between State and Media and its effect on Conflict Resolution are living in Turkey. Many of us, including me, have written articles to share the South African experience with the public. The older the conflict is, the harder it is to resolve it so it will not be an overnight solution. We already know that it is not something easy. Conflict in Turkey will not be solved with a magic formula. Each and every institution should feel responsible for creating a positive public opinion. The role of media is very important here. Turkish media is especially, has a great responsibility on its shoulders. Some of us admit this conflict out loud and some of us feel guilty for not reflecting on truths. Those who know about the issue were made silent, and did not reflect truthfully. They cooperated with the organisations that run this conflict. Yavuz Baydar, Mahmut Mutman and Doğan Akın will speak on this subject and our colleagues from local media will be able to address this as well. It would not be correct to make negative comments. We are on our path, but we are at the beginning of that path. Jonathan Powell told us a striking anecdote; he gave us a metaphor about a bicycle, to describe the conflict resolution process. He said that one should try to uninterruptedly cycle or peddle so that one does not fall down. In the first session from the United Kingdom we have a colleague, Tom Kelly, who used to be the spokesperson for Tony Blair and was a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office during the peace process. Owen Bowcott is a journalist from the Guardian who covered the Northern Irish peace process. But first I would like to start with Professor Kadri Yıldırım, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mardin Artuklu 10 The Relationship between State and Media and its effect on Conflict Resolution University and Director of the Institute of Living Languages. He has a good understanding on the philosophical depth of the Kurdish language. He is an expert on the Kurdish epic Mem u Zin, which is generally compared to Romeo and Juliet, but it is an epic not a dramatic work. Kadri would like to say ‘welcome’ and to share some very good news with