A seminar on "Traditional Media and New Media", addressing the new dynamics of the media world such as "social media" and "citizen journalism," was held at Istanbul Rumeli University’s Mehmet Balcı Campus. The speaker of the seminar was Fulya Soybaş, a columnist for Hürriyet Newspaper. Soybaş, who shared her 25 years of experience in the media field, explained the pros and cons of conventional media versus new media, providing participants with an inspiring perspective through real-life examples.
The seminar was opened by Lecturer Sevda Köyüstü, who introduced Fulya Soybaş’s brief biography. In return, Soybaş shared how she began her career in journalism, key turning points, challenges, interviews she is proud of, and the processes involved in producing these interviews, offering students insightful and relatable stories. She also spoke candidly about the daily operations of a news center, news writing techniques, editorial processes, ownership, and the ethical and moral responsibilities that come with the profession. Over 300 participants listened attentively to Soybaş’s talk.
In her speech, Soybaş pointed out that despite the rapid growth and increasing use of the digital world, conventional media remains more reliable due to its editorial processes and checks. She emphasized, “The side that acquires and distributes information is no longer just journalists; with social media, it is now possible to access every piece of news. The era of a ‘monopoly’ in journalism is over. However, it must be remembered that disinformation techniques are often employed during wartime by conflicting sides. This, of course, is not something that emerged with new media. Governments have used the media tools of their time (television, cinema, radio, etc.) to intimidate the opposing side, boost morale and motivation among their supporters, and gain international support, both in the past and present. Today, however, through social media, 'information' is readily available on the internet at any time, without the need for a broadcast schedule or procedure. Both governments and individuals can now share information without questioning its context, simply to be the first to spread it or because it aligns with their ideological or political stance. Anyone with a smartphone is a 'journalist.' This second situation is as dangerous as the first. And this further highlights the importance of traditional media, where competent, professional journalists, following universal ethical principles, report with expertise.”
Soybaş also focused on the opportunities and challenges posed by new media, explaining how both forms of media are diverging. She commented on what constitutes “correct” journalism, stating: “I trust the institutions with journalistic principles and expertise to deliver news. I also believe that filtering information and images from social media through a sieve and sharing them only after they’ve been verified by multiple sources, or trusted sources, is more aligned with my ‘ethical’ understanding of journalism. Today, it is again up to us to make a difference. I view journalism from this perspective; I try to reach as many people as I can in my work.”
At the end of the seminar, Fulya Soybaş interacted with the participants in a Q&A session. Students asked her genuine questions about journalism and the media, receiving candid and detailed responses, which enriched the discussion. Participants had the opportunity not only to deepen their understanding of both traditional and new media but also to observe the challenges and opportunities within the journalism profession.
This insightful experience provided participants with a better understanding of the relationship between new and traditional media, contributing significantly to the development of future media professionals.
