In a landmark meeting in Athens, journalists from Greece and Turkey have laid down a blueprint for future collaboration with the adoption of the Joint Declaration of the First Greek-Turkish Journalists Dialogue Meeting.
Supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and organized by the Media and Law Studies Association and the Foreign Press Association of Greece, the dialogue, spanning from November 5-7, 2023, has set the stage for a new era of journalistic integrity and cross-border cooperation.
The participants have committed to dismantling persistent stereotypes in media narratives, seeking innovative funding for joint projects, and involving academic insights to enhance public discourse.
Joint Declaration of the First Greek-Turkish Journalists Dialogue Meeting
The participants of the 1st Greek-Turkish Journalists Dialogue that took place in Athens on November 5-7 with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, pledge to advance our cooperation, in a spirit of collaboration and understanding, remaining committed to the integrity of our profession.
We recognize our role in shaping narratives and influencing perceptions and have agreed to work on deconstructing stereotypes that are prevalent in our respective media ecosystems.
We aim to provide well-rounded reports on intricate issues pertinent to our respective countries and beyond, valuing diverse perspectives, striving for balanced coverage and acknowledging the importance of nuances and the pitfalls of oversimplification.
We have agreed to seek innovative funding for joint projects, as a means to enhance our work and act as a bridge between the two countries.
We plan to involve academics, weaving their insights into our stories for greater context and precision, thereby improving the quality of information we provide to the public. In combating misinformation, we will offer alternative narratives and factual content while striving to avoid inflammatory material.
We are committed to building a network of journalists working in Greece and Turkey that will enable swift, open communication, as well as knowledge and experience sharing. This network will actively encourage cross-border journalism, fostering an interconnected media community. We reject divisive and hateful agendas, upholding our shared journalistic values.
We are committed to equity, inclusiveness and mutual respect. We will continue our dialogue, including collaborations with universities for professional training sessions.
We have resolved to forge a dynamic network from this conference and an open channel of communication that ensures effective collaboration and reinforces our dedication to the truth.
Partners of this initiative vow to maintain our profession’s standards, bridge gaps, and enhance public discourse with integrity, diligence, and empathy.
Adopted on November 7, 2023, Athens.
The signatory parties
The Foreign Press Association of Greece (FPA)
The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
