Eid Gathering of Turkish and British Journalists in London (2026)

The gathering organized in London by the Association of Turkish-British Journalists on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr brought together media representatives from both countries, delivering important messages on professional solidarity, digital journalism, and international cooperation.

The Turkish-British Journalists Association, headquartered in London, brought together Turkish and British media representatives at a gathering organized on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. The event, held at the London branch of Hafız Mustafa 1864, contributed to the development of dialogue, interaction, and institutional cooperation among media professionals.

Among those attending the gathering were Türkiye’s Ambassador to London Koray Ertaş, The Times correspondent Ali Mitib, Turkish-British Journalists Association President Alpaslan Düven, Anadolu Agency Correspondents Behlül Çetinkaya and Zeynep Çetinkaya, Turks in Britain Editor Azim Köse, The Best Magazine Editor and TBJA’s Vice Chairwoman Hülya Özkoyuncu, ASKON UK Representative Cahit Tuz, as well as Okan Abdullahoğlu and Ahmet Halit Demir.

Ambassador Ertaş: “Media is a strategic bridge between societies”

Türkiye’s Ambassador to London, Koray Ertaş, emphasized that cooperation between Turkish and British journalists carries significance not only professionally but also in cultural and social dimensions.

Ertaş stated that Turkish-language media abroad establishes a strong bond between the diaspora and the homeland, noting that this structure plays a strategic role in terms of social cohesion and mutual understanding.

During the English-language Q&A and evaluation session held with Ambassador Ertaş as part of the event, particular attention was given to the digitalizing media ecosystem and social media journalism. In this context, topics such as the instant delivery of news to large audiences, the acceleration of information flow, and the transformation of public opinion formation processes were discussed.

In these evaluations, it was emphasized that alongside speed, maintaining principles such as accuracy, verification mechanisms, and ethical responsibility remains among the fundamental requirements of contemporary journalism.

Düven: “Reliable journalism is the foundation of sustainable communication”

Alpaslan Düven, President of the Turkish-British Journalists Association, stated that the association’s vision is to establish a multidimensional platform for cooperation among journalists.

Emphasizing the association’s goal of increasing collaboration between Turkish and British journalists in the UK, Düven added:

“Our association collaborates with civil society organizations, professional bodies, and various institutions, and takes part in joint platforms and committees when necessary. Another key mission is to promote and strengthen the shared values between the United Kingdom and Turkey. In this context, we bring together media organizations and journalists through conferences, seminars, symposiums, festivals, and networking events. Through these activities, we aim to promote accurate information, foster mutual understanding, eliminate prejudices, and strengthen dialogue between communities.

“In addition, our association encourages successful journalists through competitions and award programs, while contributing to professional development through certified training initiatives and reinforcing solidarity within the media community. TBJA also carries out various activities to support the professional, social, and cultural development of its members and affiliated journalists. While primarily focused on the United Kingdom, the association can also engage in project-based collaborations in other countries when needed.”