Turkish media officials discuss local news sustainability and AI impact

Press Advertisement Agency (BİK) General Manager Abdulkadir Çay announced that over 70 million Turkish Liras in official advertisement and announcement support was provided to local newspapers and internet news sites in Afyonkarahisar and Kütahya during the first seven months of 2026. Specifically, Afyonkarahisar received over 37 million Liras, while Kütahya received more than 33 million Liras.

During meetings with media representatives, officials emphasized the importance of local media as the keepers of social memory and the voice of citizens. Discussions also focused on the challenges of economic sustainability, digital transformation, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the media sector.

Additionally, TİMBİR General President Dr. Süleyman Basa highlighted that while technology and algorithms change, the ethical responsibility of journalists remains constant. He noted that as artificial intelligence makes content production easier, the value of fact-checking and verifying authentic imagery will increase. Basa described local media as the 'capillaries of democracy,' essential for the continued dialogue within cities.