On July 24, due to the Journalists and Press Day, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) hosted press members working in Burdur at the Medusa Valley Cafe, which was opened at the İstiklal Campus. The breakfast program addressed the issues of local press, the future of the journalism profession, and university-press collaboration.
In his opening speech, Burdur Journalists Association President Kürşat Tuncel stated that July 24 is an important turning point in the history of the press, noting that journalism is undergoing a serious transformation process along with technological change.
Tuncel expressed that local press has been struggling with economic difficulties for many years and emphasized that content creation on social media should be separated from the journalism profession. He stated that journalism is a professional field with ethical principles, institutional structure, and a public interest aspect, and highlighted the importance of enacting a press profession law and clearly defining the standards of journalism.
Tuncel pointed out that press freedom is not only a guarantee for journalists but also for society's right to access accurate information, and thanked Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar for the university's sensitivity towards local press.
Speaking at the program, MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar celebrated the Journalists and Press Day on July 24 for all press workers and stated that the press plays an important role in accurately conveying the university's activities to the public.
Rector Dalgar emphasized that the university is a common value of Burdur, stating, "As much as we have a say in our university, everyone living in Burdur has the right to speak about the university. Because this university belongs to all of us."
Rector Dalgar noted that MAKÜ operates with an understanding that integrates with the city, expressing that the works carried out, from social facilities to sports investments, are made available not only for students but also for the use of the people of Burdur. He mentioned that they value the teams coming to the city for sports tourism to get to know Burdur and stated that the university's national and international achievements should be embraced by the entire city.
Rector Dalgar reminded that the university has achieved significant successes in world university rankings in recent years, stating that these achievements were obtained through the collective efforts of everyone, from the administration to academics, and from students to press members.
In his speech, Rector Dalgar also referred to ongoing investments, announcing that a rowing facility by the lake has been put into service for educational purposes within the Faculty of Sports Sciences, and that the tennis courts under construction will be opened for the use of the people of Burdur once completed. He expressed that every investment made at the university is also a common gain for the city and noted that they will continue their projects that contribute to society.
After the speeches, Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar made a presentation that included the projects and goals implemented by the university.
The program concluded with the opening of the photo exhibition "MAKÜ Through the Eyes of the Press," prepared from the perspective of Burdur press members, and a tour of the exhibition.
