ISTANBUL – Journalist Faruk Eren criticized the media’s role in the Kurdish peace process, stating, “A language that constantly provokes the process is being used. This language needs to change.”

 

The peace process, initiated by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” on February 27, followed Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli’s October 2024 invitation to “come and speak in Parliament.” Over the past ten months, a “National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy Commission” was established in Parliament. 

 

Media plays a critical role in communicating the process, but Eren pointed out the hostile, militaristic, and anti-solution rhetoric from nationalist media, especially from Republican People's Party’s (CHP) nationalist wing and breakaway MHP factions, contrasted with the government-aligned media’s dominant narrative.

 

Eren noted that before the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, the media followed a nationalist, militarist, and often misogynistic editorial line, producing “headlines to be ashamed of” regarding the Kurdish issue. While there was some positive shift in AKP media between 2013-2015, after the process stalled, hostile language intensified, targeting not only Kurdish groups but also HDP and CHP. For example, DEM Party’s weekly meetings were never broadcast live, despite frequent negative coverage.

 

‘MEDIA FAILING THE TEST’

 

Surprised by Bahçeli’s parliamentary handshake with DEM Party deputies and Öcalan’s peace call, Eren said the process was again framed as terrorism. The AKP media branded it “Terror-free Turkey,” and though the commission is active, the media landscape remains divided. Some opposition media express skepticism rooted in concern but have adopted similar stances to pro-government outlets, even questioning the release of long-imprisoned detainees. “From a language perspective, media is failing this process,” he said.

 

‘MAINSTREAM MEDIA LOVES WAR’

 

Eren emphasized that many opposition outlets oppose the process outright despite claiming to support peace rhetorically. He traced these issues back to a long-standing state tradition predating AKP, highlighting the media’s historical silence or complicity during state violence and village destructions. According to him, Turkish mainstream media is militarist and state-centric, thriving on conflict and ideological war narratives beyond just the Kurdish issue.

 

‘THE PROVOCATIVE LANGUAGE MUST CHANGE’

 

Underlining that journalists cannot be neutral, Eren said, “Journalists stand for the public, truth, peace, and democracy. Unfortunately, mainstream and government media in Turkey have chosen war rhetoric over peace journalism, inciting conflict.” He added that peace journalism requires public demand and support. “The media must avoid provoking the process. The language used now is provocative and must change. The peace of a democratic country is closely linked to the language of its media. The process must be transparent, but media should promote peace and democracy and raise public awareness accordingly.” 

 

MA / Melik Çelik