AVRUPA TIMES- ALANYA, Turkey — UK-based editor Vatan Öz received a Global Achievement Awards at the The Global Journalism Council (GJC) ceremony held in the southern Turkish resort city of Alanya between 6 and 9 November, where the organisation also presented the inaugural İsmail Gaspıralı Honor Awards.
The annual GJC awards, now in their fifth year, brought together senior media figures, diplomats and officials. Attendees included North Macedonia’s Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi; former Turkish foreign minister and NATO PA Turkish Delegation Chair Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu; AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman; and TURKSOY Secretary-General Sultan Raev.
The events began with a KGK promotional film, followed by separate meetings of the council’s three main bodies — the National Media, Local Media and Foreign Media assemblies. Sessions addressed challenges facing the industry, including digital transformation in local journalism, professional solidarity, international news cooperation and the role of media in public diplomacy.
Later at the awards ceremony, GJC President Mehmet Ali Dim presented Öz with a plaque recognising his contributions to Turkish media in the UK and Europe.
Öz, editor at Avrupa newspaper and AVA News Agency in London, delivered the keynote speech at the Foreign Media Assembly session. His address, titled “Our Voice Beyond Borders: The Past, Present and Future of Turkish Media in Europe,” examined the evolution and influence of the Turkish press across the continent.
Later at the awards ceremony, GJC President Mehmet Ali Dim presented Öz with a plaque recognising his contributions to Turkish media in the UK and Europe. “Bringing together journalists from across continents is no easy task,” Öz said, thanking the council. “Meeting colleagues from the UK, Germany, North Macedonia, Brazil, Senegal, Tatarstan and Mongolia was invaluable. Our duty is to help further strengthen and expand the Global Journalists Council.”
In his opening remarks, Dim emphasised journalism’s role in promoting peace and mutual understanding. “Journalism is not only the transmission of information; it is a responsibility that reflects humanity’s collective conscience,” he said. Dim added that the newly introduced İsmail Gaspıralı Honor Awards aim to reinforce the council’s cultural and intellectual ties with the Turkic world. “Gaspıralı’s principle of ‘unity in language, thought and action’ remains our guiding compass in media diplomacy,” he said.
The 5th GJC Media Gathering concluded with a spectacular awards ceremony
The Global Journalism Council (GJC) hosted the fifth edition of its “Global Achievement Awards”, along with the inaugural “Ismail Gasprinsky Honorary Awards”, at a magnificent ceremony in Alanya.
“Journalism: The Universal Language of Peace and Truth”
Bringing together prominent representatives of international media diplomacy, the event began with the Council’s promotional film. The ceremony was attended by Afrim Gashi, Speaker of the Parliament of North Macedonia; Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the Turkish Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and AK Party Antalya MP; Hüseyin Yayman, AK Party Deputy Chairman and Hatay MP; Sultan Raev, Secretary-General of TURKSOY; as well as numerous diplomatic representatives, media executives, and journalists.
In his opening address, GJC President Mehmet Ali Dim (Right end) emphasized that the media is one of the most powerful tools for global peace, solidarity, and mutual understanding.
“Journalism is not merely a profession that transmits information; it represents the shared conscience of humanity. As the Global Journalism Council, our aim is to unite journalists from different languages, religions, and cultures under a common purpose — because truth is one, and we are in pursuit of that truth,” Dim said.
He also highlighted that the introduction of the Ismail Gasprinsky Honorary Awards this year strengthens the Council’s cultural and intellectual ties with the Turkic world.
“Gasprinsky’s principle of ‘Unity in language, thought, and action’ guides our media diplomacy today. These awards are a modern reflection of that legacy,” he added.
“Media Diplomacy Reflects Türkiye’s Global Strength”
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, in his address celebrating Azerbaijan’s Victory Day on November 8, stated that GJC’s activities contribute greatly to Türkiye’s international communication vision:
“The Council demonstrates how diplomacy can be effectively conducted through the media. We will continue to support this mission.”
He underlined that the international system has failed to prevent conflicts and crises, stressing that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye has become a voice for peace, stability, and justice in its region and beyond.
“Sixty percent of the world’s wars take place in our geography. There is no option but to strive to end this suffering — and Türkiye leads this effort,” Çavuşoğlu said.
Awards Bridging Journalism, Diplomacy and Art
During the ceremony, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Afrim Gashi received the Global Diplomacy Award.
Serdar Karagöz, Chairman and Director-General of Anadolu Agency (AA), was honored with the Ismail Gasprinsky Journalism Award for his contributions to the Turkic world.
The award was presented on behalf of AA by Hazal Duran, Director of Strategic Communication and Brand Management, and handed over by Sultan Raev, Secretary-General of TURKSOY.
Gaza Was Not Forgotten
The ceremony also witnessed emotional moments. Sami Muhammed Shehade, a Palestinian journalist and TRT Arabi cameraman who lost his leg during Israeli attacks in Gaza, received the Global Journalism Award for his courage and dedication to truth.
His award was presented by Hüseyin Yayman, AK Party Deputy Chairman, and he received a long standing ovation from the audience.
“In an era where human values are fading, journalists who speak the truth are humanity’s last conscience. Brother Sami’s courage represents not only the honor of the Palestinian people but of all humanity,” Yayman said.
A Touch of Art from the Turkic World: “Çırpınırdın Karadeniz”
Azerbaijani artist Gülyanaq Mammadova, who received the Global Art Award, performed the emotional song “Çırpınırdın Karadeniz” on stage, moving the audience, who joined in with applause.
A Powerful Message of Unity with International Participation
The event was attended by Alanya District Governor Şakir Öner Öztürk, Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kenan Türkdoğan, Rector of Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, and numerous representatives of institutions, organizations, and local and international media members.
The ceremony once again showcased Türkiye’s rising influence in media diplomacy, concluding with a message emphasizing peace, solidarity, and shared cultural values
THE AWARDS
5th Global Achievement Awards
•Diplomacy: Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu
•Diplomacy: Afrim Gashi
•Science: Prof. Dr. Ahmet Alanay
•Journalism: Sami Shehade (Palestinian journalist and war veteran)
•Media: Mikhail Gusman
•Turkic World: Ömer Kocaman
•Art: Gülyanaq Mammadova
Ismail Gasprinsky Honorary Awards
•Service: Abdulkadir Uraloğlu (Minister of Transport and Infrastructure)
•Journalism: Serdar Karagöz (Director-General, Anadolu Agency)
•Literature: Sultan Raev (Secretary-General, TURKSOY)
•Education: Prof. Dr. Zakir Avşar (Communication Studies)
•Art: Z. Zhangali Alimkhanuly (Kazakh Dombra Artist)
Other Awards
•Turkic World Media Award: Reşat Macit, President of the Azerbaijan Press Council
•Journalism Commendation Award: Ertan Birinci, Chairman of the Board, Genç TV (TRNC)
•Journalism Commendation Award: Fesih Zeki Mert, Founder of Elips TV
•Journalism Commendation Award: Eran Hasip, Chief Editor of Turkish Broadcasts, North Macedonia TV
•Journalism Commendation Award: Nigar Ibrahimova, TV Journalist
•Media Friendship Award: Roberto Trobajo Hernandez, General Director of AllPress Agency and GJC Representative for Colombia
•Media Friendship Award: Thierno Ahmadou, General Director of Senegal State News Agency and GJC Representative for Senegal
•Media Friendship Award: Alpar Kato, Editor-in-Chief of Daily News Hungary and GJC Representative for Hungary
•Media Friendship Award: Gülnaz Kutueva, Editor-in-Chief of Kızı Dergisi and GJC Representative for Bashkortosta.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, GJC President Mehmet Ali Dim stated:
“Our professional honor and friendship awards were presented to individuals who contribute to strengthening peace, solidarity, and ethical values in global journalism. This gathering in Alanya is a reflection of Turkish media’s global strength. The participation of distinguished journalists from 41 countries marks a new milestone. We will continue to work tirelessly to achieve even more in the days ahead.”
