ANKARA

The correspondence of Anadolu Agency’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk sheds light on the historic period, obstacles faced and efforts to make the voice of Anatolia heard during its nascent days.

With the knowledge Anadolu Agency (AA) bulletins published following its establishment were not delivered to some areas, Ataturk made various correspondences and warnings about the delivery of the agency’s bulletins with the belief that propaganda of the War of Independence was of great importance.

In a letter sent to Anatolian Telegraph Center on April 18, 1920, Ataturk considered the negligence in delivering AA bulletins as a "crime against the motherland.”

“We receive complaints that the Anadolu Agency [publications] have not been spread and sent to some places. At the moment when Anatolia has been fully disconnected from outside, we undoubtedly consider that this service, which is undertaken so that members of the nation do not stay without news, will be accepted and strengthened by all our telegraphers, and negligence on this matter will constitute a crime against the motherland.”

The letter sent by the youth from Inebolu to Ataturk on April 4, 1920, two days before the Agency was founded, to learn news about the War of Independence, was also an indication of the important function Anadolu Agency assumed.

In his reply, on April 20, Ataturk said the news required by the Anatolian region was now provided by Anadolu Agency and asked the youth to spread the news to villages.

To avoid obstructions, Ataturk, who paid great attention to the delivery of the Anadolu Agency news all over the country, sent a telegram to the Konya Post and Telegraph Directorate on April 18 and asked to report the reasons for blocking news distribution and the names of neglecting officers who were involved.

Ataturk did not forget the devoted telegraphers and thanked them in his Nutuk speech (The Great Speech).

On the other hand, before the opening of the Grand National Assembly, Ataturk, who wanted Istanbul to be informed of the struggle in Anatolia daily, sent telegrams to the 61st Division Command and the Mudanya District Governorship on April 21.

He requested daily reports from Anadolu Agency to be sent without delay to Istanbul through reliable boatmen and ferry captains from Bandirma and Mudanya, Istanbul, who were aware of the events in Anatolia due to the extraordinary interest that Anatolia would gain after the opening of the Grand National Assembly.

Ataturk, who paid great importance to the news about the War of Independence reaching Istanbul, sent a telegram to the 14th Corps Command in Bursa on April 21 asking news in Anadolu Agency bulletins, which can be considered important for Istanbul, to be printed and reproduced in Bursa and sent to Istanbul in sufficient numbers.

When the Grand National Assembly was opened on April 23, Anadolu Agency had already been working for 17 days.

The first legal regulation regarding Anadolu Agency was made two months after its establishment with the Law on the Organization of the Printing and Intelligence Publications, on June 7.

With the law, the Agency directorate was included in the staff of the Directorate of Printing and Intelligence, and Ethem Hidayet (Akimsar) became the first Agency Director with the title of Director of Anadolu Agency and Press Branch.

However, the general directorate, which was given broad authority, was criticized three months after its establishment that propaganda and intelligence activities were not carried out well.

Speaking as the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers in the parliamentary meetings, Ataturk responded to the criticisms:

“It was said 'Is there any press in the country?' In other words, it is mentioned that there is no press in the country. Gentleman, there was no press one year ago, six months ago, eight months ago in Anatolia. We all know this. However, there is indeed a press in Anatolia today, and this press is also a result of works taking place in Anatolia. We have almost no significant center where no newspapers have appeared. In this case, there is a press in Anatolia. Therefore, the press was not neglected. Gentleman, the first attempts were made for the press to come into existence, and it emerged.

“Our friends mentioned that our coast propaganda is not being made at all and that there is no small outcome coming from the coast. There is also a mistake here. Gentleman, we do have coast propaganda, and it is quite strong. There is no such thing that there is no outcome, I receive 24 reports during the 24-hour timeframe. If you wish, I can convey all these reports to the Supreme Delegates, and you can read it. Consequently, our Black Sea coast is very vigilant, they inform even about the flying bird.

“A telegraph goes to Afyon Karahisarı in four days, then it goes to Bilecik, if you get out of here and go there, the agency would not arrive there yet. All of this is true. However, this issue is directly related to telegraph and postal transactions. So, if the telegraph and postal services do not work properly now, is there any need to criticize the press and intelligence directorate?" 

Republican years

Reporting the War of Independence all over Anatolia, Anadolu Agency was the voice of Ataturk during the proclamation of the republic and his gradual reformations.

Following the proclamation of the Republic, the Caliphate was abolished March 3, 1924, and the Law on Unification of Education was adopted. On April 20, 1924, the Republic of Turkey obtained its new Constitution. All these steps were followed by Anadolu Agency.

The Agency’s reporters were always next to Ataturk during trips he made to explain the reforms. The words of Ataturk at a tea party given in his honor at the Teachers Union on Sept. 22, 1924, at the Samsun Independence Trade School, found its reflection in Anadolu Agency bulletin as follows:

"Science is the most real guidance for everything in the world, for civilization, for life, for success. Seeking guidance outside of science is carelessness, ignorance, deviating from the right path."

The assassination attempt in Izmir targeting Ataturk was revealed on June 17, 1926, and was announced to the public by Anadolu Agency with an official statement. The head writer Kemalettin Kamu followed Ataturk’s this trip to Izmir in 1926. While speaking to the agency on June 19, 1926, on the Izmir assassination attempt, Ataturk said his historical words: “One day my mortal body will turn to dust, but the Turkish Republic will stand forever.”

That statement, "Veteran's Declaration to the Nation," was used by newspapers citing AA.

Ataturk's 10th Year Nutuk (The Great Speech), trips to provinces and death were reported to Turkish and the world public with Anadolu Agency bulletins.