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EMU Graduate and Posta Newspaper Economics Editor Murat Gülderen Provides Recommendations to Journalism Students

Graduate of the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Communication, Department of Journalism and Posta Newspaper Economics Editor and Technology Reporter Murat Gülderen evaluated the education he received from EMU with a consideration of his career in journalism. Gülderen also provided recommendations to EMU New Media and Journalism Department students. Murat Gülderen, who recommends reading at least the front pages of newspapers every day and analyzing how different newspapers report the same news differently, explained the most important rule of the journalism profession as follows: "Never write about things you do not understand!"

“Specialization Is Critical”

Journalist Murat Gülderen, who stated that he worked for EMU Gündem Newspaper during his student years and that students should actively take part in newspapers, websites or visual media whenever possible, also recommended that students choose a field of specialization and improve themselves on that subject. Gülderen continued: “Specialization in the journalism profession is critical. Because a person who spends a lot of time on a task gives the citizens the healthiest information at the end of the day. Currently, many newspapers have columns such as technology, energy, automotive, sustainable life, stock market and health. Although the editors who make these pages do not receive academic training in those fields, they know very well what is 'new information' because they constantly follow those agendas. This allows them to write news in a much simpler language. In other words, the criterion of 'never write about things you do not understand', which is the most important rule of the journalism profession, is completely eliminated thanks to this system.”

Gülderen says that there is currently a gap in the field of agriculture and energy and that those who specialize in this field will benefit themselves. In addition, recommending that students develop their writing skills and improve themselves in foreign language in order to make a difference in the profession, Gülderen emphasized that a journalist should speak fluently, and if they have such problems, they should solve it as soon as possible.

“Generation Z is Interested in Internet Media”

Murat Gülderen, who also made a statement about the Generation Z, said: “Generation Z (those born after 2000) are interested in internet media; This is true and natural. But this does not prevent journalism. Nothing can stop journalism. Because you have to constantly give new information to people. This is achieved by following the agenda very well and inventing content accordingly. Internet channels full of empty news will never last long. The paper era is ending and everything may be shifting to digital, that's another matter. Journalism is about providing original content. Of course, digital channels pave the way for the media even more. Because in this way, you can reach the people and images you want much more easily. In addition, you can follow the world agenda instantly, you can make comparisons with Turkey.”

Recommendations from Gülderen to Journalism Students

Journalist Gülderen, who also gave advice to students who will pursue the profession of journalism, listed his recommendations as follows: “They should read at least the first page of the newspapers every day. Let them analyze how and why other newspapers gave the same news (This allows them to report more objectively). Let them try to take part in the school newspaper while they are studying, or in active newspapers, internet news sites or visual media in their spare time, if they have the opportunity. Before long, let them choose an area of specialization for themselves. There are many gaps in the media, especially in the fields of agriculture and energy. People who have trained themselves well in these fields are never idle. There are many technology sites, but the majority of those who work there do not know how to write news, so their articles are full of technical details. So 90 percent of those who read these don't understand anything. If you both write good news and translate technical details into a language that the public can understand, you will make a serious difference in this field as well. While walking, reading, watching something, eating, doing sports, let them do brain gymnastics to see what kind of news can be made from here. Never forget English. Because you can often produce different news from international sources. Those who have fluency problems should solve this problem as soon as possible because you are often invited to conferences.”