Thirty-nine years ago on 1 February, legendary Turkish journalist Abdi İpekçi was gunned down by assassin Mehmet Ali Ağca, in what is now seen by most journalists was perhaps the beginning of a dark era for the Turkish media, which is still ongoing according to some.
İpekçi, who was the editor-in-chief of the Milliyet Newspaper, was also a deputy president for the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC). The TGC in a statement said: "We will commemorate journalist Abdi İpekçi, who has significant contributions to journalism in Turkey gaining on a work order compatible with universal standards, on the 39th anniversary of his murder in a heinous attack by his gravesite in Zincirlikuyu Graveyard."
TGC said he was a great newspaper executive, in addition to being an excellent journalist. "During his term, the Mİlliyet newspaper was able to create many successful news reports and the newspaper became an important school in training many young journalists," it said.
The Press Council also released a statement, in which it said: "He was an unyielding defender of democracy, the voice of common sense." The statement said "Abdi İpekçi style journalism" has become a feature of good journalism in Turkey.
