A talk titled “Internet Journalism” was organized by the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Communication Faculty, Department of New Media and Journalism on Friday, the 8th of December 2017. Guest speaker at the talk that commenced at 10:30 in the Purple Hall was internet newspaper T24’s founder Doğan Akın. Delivering the opening speech, EMU Communication Faculty, Department of New Media and Journalism Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurten Kara thanked all participants stating that they welcomed Doğan Akın to the university 2 years earlier and that they are very happy to see him back once again. Doğan Akın expressed his happiness regarding being back at the university for the second time. Stating that with the internet, journalism gained the means to produce an almost real-time broadcast Akın highlighted that they upload approximately 250 news items a day to T24, highlighting that this requires correct editor supervision and working at a high speed.
The Importance of Low Cost Discussed
Noting that he doesn’t agree with those who believe that journalism is a profession that is going to be obsolete Akın highlighted that the vast amount of information flowing through the internet needs to go through the filter of good journalists stating that this requirement has elevated the standards of the profession. Indicating that the field of conventional media requires serious expenditure Akın noted that low cost journalism has been made possible by the internet. Pointing out that social media usage in the TRNC is very high, Akın highlighted that this leads to citizen journalism coming into prominence. Underlining the need to be familiar with algorithms in internet advertising in order to carry out independent journalism Akın stated that this is how news portals survive. The talk came to a close after a group photo was taken.
