Near East University Faculty of Communication hosted communication doyen Hıfzı Topuz, who pioneered the establishment of the first communication faculties in Turkey as well as the establishment of UNESCO MacBride Commission which represents a turning point in the world communication history, and took up an important role in the publication of the New World Information and Communication scheme.
According to the information provided by the Eastern University Press and Public Relations Directorate, participating in the panel titled "Communication Education from Past to Present" organized by the Faculty of Communication, made a presentation on the development of communication education from the very beginning up to the present day in Turkey and in the world. Füsun Özbilgen, the Secretary General of the Communication Research Association (İLAD) and Sami Özuslu, the President of the Cyprus Turkish Journalists Association, also commented the current state of communication education and their reflections in the profession and press freedom.
Lecturers, journalists and students from the faculties of Communication, Science and Art showed great interest toAt the panel held at the Near East University Irfan Günsel Congress Center and moderated by Assist. Prof. Dr. Ayça Demet Atay.
He told the historical adventure of the first journalism schools
The 95-year-od journalist, author and communication trainer Hıfzı Topuz, recognized as the father of the communication education, delivered a speech on the history of journalism and on the development of communication education in Turkey with the establishment of the first communication faculties in Turkey.
Turkey's First Journalism School established in Ankara
Hıfzı Topuz stating that the first journalism vocational school was established in Ankara, and then turned into a communication faculty due to the innovations and developments in the sector.
Media does not open its doors to students for internship Medya
Commenting on the current status of communication Hıfzı Topuz claimed that the students are not well educated, no sufficient amount of practice is carried out, no sufficient training facilities are conducted and the media does not open its doors to students.
Being a Communicator and being a Communication Instructor are too different things...
The General Secretary of İLAD, Füsun Özbilgen, who took word at the panel, also made comments about the current state of communication education. Özbilgen explained that he was a communication educator who came from journalism profession and then moved to the field of education after working in journalism for thirty years. She said that she has made out the difference between being a communicator and being a communication educator.
Sami Özuslu, President of the Turkish Cypriot Journalists Association, commented on the reflections of communication education in the sector. Özuslu also touched on freedom of the press and democracy issues in press and media. Mr. Özuslu said that freedom of the press and democracy are the sine qua non of media. The freedom of press and democracy in the TRNC is yet relatively good. On the other hand, unfair competition and deterioration of economic conditions threatens the sustainability of the press sector, he said.
Hıfzı Topuz signed his books at the end of the panel, he signed many research and review books in the field of communication which contain memoirs, novels and stories.
