Turkish Press Advertising Agency regulatory and digital evol

The Press Advertising Agency (BİK) has introduced new regulatory frameworks and initiatives aimed at managing the evolving media landscape in Turkey.

In September 2026, new regulations entered into force via the Official Gazette, modifying employment and election procedures. These amendments allow newspapers and internet news sites to utilize the İŞKUR On-the-Job Training Program to meet minimum staffing requirements, with the number of eligible trainees determined by the size of the organization. The updates also revised rules for General Assembly representative elections, including provisions for written proxies and procedures for meetings where a quorum is not met.

By October 2026, the agency shifted focus toward the digital transition of the industry. In collaboration with the SETA Foundation, BİK hosted a workshop regarding the ‘Digital Transformation of the Written Press: Adaptation, Integration, and Sustainable Model Proposals’. BİK General Manager Abdulkadir Çay emphasized that digital transformation is a multidimensional process affecting news production, verification, distribution, technical infrastructure, human resources, and revenue models.

During the workshop, Çay noted that social media and video networks have surpassed news organizations' own websites in online news access, stating that ‘77% of people consuming online news videos weekly’. Discussions also addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism and the necessity for local media to develop regional collaborations and niche reporting models to strengthen their digital presence.