Winners Announced for the 34th Turkish Journalists’ Association Aydın Doğan Young Communicators Competition

The awards of the 34th Turkish Journalists’ Association Aydın Doğan Young Communicators Competition, celebrating the achievements of emerging media professionals, have been presented to their recipients. In the competition, where a distinguished jury composed of leading journalists, media executives, and academics conducted a meticulous evaluation process, outstanding projects in print, visual, audio, and digital media categories were recognized and awarded.

Organized in collaboration between the Turkish Journalists’ Association and the Aydın Doğan Foundation, the competition stands as one of the most established and prestigious initiatives in Türkiye’s media sector. The 34th edition of the awards ceremony took place on Thursday, 20 February 2025, honoring successful projects across written, visual, audio, and online publishing platforms.

Launched by the Aydın Doğan Foundation with the objective of equipping young talents with contemporary communication skills and integrating them into the media industry, this long-standing competition has been held in partnership with the Turkish Journalists’ Association for the past six years. The initiative aims to foster a culture of independent, ethical, and high-quality journalism within the media landscape.

During the ceremony, where the Aydın Doğan Foundation’s longstanding commitment to supporting young communicators was strongly emphasized, Aydın Doğan Foundation Chef Executive Officer Candan Fetvacı and Vahap Munyar, President of the Turkish Journalists’ Association, delivered inspiring remarks to the next generation of media professionals.

In her speech, Candan Fetvacı underlined that the Aydın Doğan Foundation has prioritized education since its establishment, identifying equal opportunity and empowering young people through education as central pillars of its mission. She stated:

“For 34 years, this competition has stood as the oldest and most established contest dedicated to students of communication faculties. It represents a highly valuable meeting point — not only for young journalists, but also for industry professionals committed to advancing the journalism profession.”

Emphasizing that the Young Communicators Competition aims to provide a platform for young talents to showcase their abilities and further develop their skills, Candan Fetvacı stated:

“Communication is not merely about conveying information; it is about connecting people, fostering understanding, and shaping society. Communication is a powerful force capable of doing all this. Using that power in the most positive and constructive way is in your hands. At this point, both you and we carry significant responsibility. You must equip yourselves with the best possible education, and we must ensure that you are provided with the best opportunities. You should become versatile professionals — highly knowledgeable in your field, capable of analytical thinking, self-confident, and above all, honest. Whatever you do, remain committed to the truth. Remember: the power of journalism lies in its impartiality. The accuracy, objectivity, and reliability of news matter far more than the platform through which it is delivered. Whether on paper or in digital media, what ultimately matters is truthful and factual reporting.”

Highlighting the critical importance of increasing the number of qualified, ethically grounded, and forward-looking journalists, Vahap Munyar, President of the Turkish Journalists’ Association, stated:

“We are living in an era where technology is advancing rapidly and artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape the world. Yet regardless of what technology brings into our lives, the responsibility of journalists to report the truth as it is remains unchanged. According to the Declaration of the Rights and Responsibilities of Turkish Journalists — our profession’s guiding framework — a journalist’s primary responsibility is to the public and to the truth. Journalists are obligated to convey facts without distortion, in defense of the public’s right to information. Furthermore, journalists must uphold universal human values — foremost among them peace, democracy, and the rule of law — and defend pluralism. Cultivating professionals who embody these qualities is only possible through the dedicated efforts of universities and professional organizations such as ours. For 34 years, the Young Communicators Competition has played a highly supportive and horizon-expanding role in helping qualified, contemporary journalists take their first steps into the profession. Since 2019, as the Turkish Journalists’ Association, we have proudly partnered with the Aydın Doğan Foundation in organizing this important competition. We are pleased to contribute, together with the Foundation, to recognizing and rewarding young communicators. This year as well, experienced journalists serving on the juries devoted significant effort to identifying the most successful young communicators of the year. I extend my sincere thanks to the jury members. And to our dear young award recipients — I congratulate you. I wish you strength in overcoming the challenges you will face and hope that you will practice your profession with the constant awareness that you are accountable to the public and to the truth.”

Awards Presented in 14 Categories to Young Communicators

This year’s competition drew outstanding submissions from communication faculty students across Türkiye. First, second, and third prizes were awarded in the main categories of print, visual, audio, and digital media. In addition, an Excellence Award was granted in each main category, as determined by a distinguished jury composed of journalists, media executives, and academics who carried out a rigorous evaluation process.

One of the competition’s most notable distinctions, the “Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures” Award, was presented to projects that raise awareness of gender equality and contribute to advancing inclusive perspectives within media content.

• Results of the 34th Young Communicators Competition