Messages have been issued by President Ersin Tatar and the Director of Bayrak Radio Television Corporation (BRTK) Meryem Özkurt to mark World Press Freedom Day.

In his message, President Tatar said that an understanding that considered reporting the truth an art without destroying the objective reality was essential.

The Director of BRTK Meryem Özkurt in her message said that freedom of the press was an indispensable component of democracy.

President Ersin Tatar issued a written message on Wednesday on the occasion of 3 May Press Freedom Day.  “A media culture that guides social justice and public interest, adheres to ethical norms and which monitors itself, will be the guarantee of achieving brighter days,” the President said in his message congratulating the 3 May Press Freedom Day.

The Director of Bayrak Radio Television Corporation (BRTK) Meryem Özkurt who also issued a message to mark the significance of May 3 World Press Freedom Day said that media and free press played an important role in the process of democratization of countries.

She noted that BRTK continued its broadcasts with the principles of pluralism, tolerance and broad-mindedness that make up a democratic society.

Özkurt urged everyone to acknowledge the fact that the media had much more important duties than just public relations and propaganda.

“Investigative journalism and reporting must always be carried out within the framework of media ethics. It must be known that the only way to rise to the level of contemporary societies is through a system that sees all journalists and media workers as equals before the eyes of the law,” she said

Pointing out that the press is an indispensable element of democratic societies, Özkurt stated that press contributes to the functioning of democracy with the information and news it passes onto society.

BRTK Director Meryem Özkurt concluded her message by congratulating the May 3 World Press Freedom Day of all BRTK employees and media professionals.