• Training course provides international journalists with survival strategies and reporting skills to bring truth from world's most dangerous frontlines
• Anadolu CEO Serdar Karagoz says reporters face unprecedented threats in Gaza as Israel deliberately targets media workers documenting war crimes

ANKARA/ISTANBUL

Anadolu on Monday launched its 27th term of War Journalism Training, a program designed to prepare reporters for assignments in conflict zones, disaster areas, and emergency situations.

The training, organized in cooperation with the Police Academy and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), brings together 24 participants from six countries, including 10 Anadolu staff members.

A ceremony marking the beginning of the new term was held at the Police Academy’s Golbasi campus in Ankara.

Speaking at the event, Anadolu CEO Serdar Karagoz highlighted the dangers that journalists face in modern conflict zones.

He noted that more than 200 journalists have been killed in the Gaza Strip so far.

“They have nothing to do with the war and are not a party to it, but they are deliberately targeted by Israel. The reason they are targeted is because they expose Israel’s human rights violations and war crimes to the world.”

'Every day, every hour, we receive news of new conflicts'

In his speech, Karagoz also drew attention to the fragile and chaotic state of the world, noting that “every day, every hour, we receive news of new conflicts.”

He underlined that the principles and ethics of war have collapsed. “We live in a time when the principle that ‘civilians must not be harmed in war’ has long been violated.

“In our culture, even trees, saplings, and forests were considered untouchable in times of war—they were never punished or destroyed.

“Yet in other cultures, civilians, the elderly, children, and even babies can be harmed, and this is now accepted as normal.”

'Journalists are not safe either'

Karagoz emphasized that in such an environment, members of the media are never safe.

“In the past, reporters in war zones felt secure when wearing PRESS vests. That is no longer the case. The ethics, codes, and morals of conflict have been completely eroded.

“Just as babies and children are no longer safe, neither are medical workers, ambulances, nurses, doctors, humanitarian staff, nor journalists who carry cameras, microphones, or pens to inform the world of what is happening.”

Despite these risks, Karagoz said journalists bear the responsibility of informing the world about injustice and human rights violations.

“In such a fragile, chaotic, and morally degraded world, we strive to practice our profession. We have a responsibility: to report injustices, violations, and human rights abuses to the world.

“In conflict zones—especially in the most intense areas—we both fulfill our journalistic duty and our responsibility to humanity.”

'Over 200 colleagues killed in Gaza'

Recalling how correspondents reported to the world on atrocities such as the My Lai Massacre, Abu Ghraib, Srebrenica, and the war in Ukraine, Karagoz said Anadolu reporters have played the same role in Gaza over the past two years.

“A genocide is taking place, and our correspondents are reporting it directly from the scene. Each one of them is truly a hero. Among them, we have colleagues who became martyrs, and I pray for their souls.

“More than 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza so far. They are not part of the war. They are not combatants. Yet Israel targets them—because they are exposing Israel’s human rights violations and war crimes to the world.”

Preparing another book—The Defendant

Karagoz recalled that Anadolu documented the genocide in Gaza through its book The Evidence, which has been accepted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as evidence against Israel’s war crimes.

“We classified and documented Israel’s war crimes one by one according to international criminal law and submitted them to the ICC. Next, we published Witness, a book compiling testimonies of journalists, aid workers, doctors, and civilians who witnessed genocide, war crimes, and human rights abuses.

“Now we are preparing another work: Defendants. Everyone complicit in this genocide—those who fired the bullets, dropped the bombs, gave the orders, and those who supported them—will find their names in this book. They will understand that history has recorded them as a black stain.

“The book is still in preparation, but one feature is clear: the number of defendants keeps growing. Its volume will be vast, and we will document each perpetrator one by one for history.”

'Continue being the voice of truth'

Karagoz compared journalism to policing, describing it as a profession where “anything can happen at any moment.” He noted that reporters often find themselves in the very heart of conflict and must both fulfill their duties and fight for survival.

He underlined the uniqueness of Anadolu’s War Journalism Training, saying: “There is no equivalent in the world. Similar programs don’t even come close. Around 583 colleagues have completed this training before you. You will experience what they experienced. The strength of this program lies in its constant improvement.”

Addressing the trainees, he said: “After completing this course, you will feel more confident in war, disaster, and conflict environments. But to remain the voice of truth, you must first survive. This program will teach you survival strategies in the best way.

“When you return to your work, you will apply the knowledge, experience, and skills you gained here to the fullest. May you continue to be the voice of truth, fulfill all your duties, and make the most of this training. I once again thank TIKA and the Police Academy.”

'Türkiye shares its experience with world'

TIKA President Abdullah Eren said the agency has enabled Turkish public institutions to provide training in more than 100 countries since its establishment, bringing Türkiye’s expertise to friendly nations.

He noted that TIKA has offices in 55 countries, offering technical support and development assistance. TIKA's restoration projects and field activities in agriculture, livestock, security, and health care can be seen throughout the Balkans and the Turkic world.

Highlighting Türkiye’s role in global politics, Eren said: “You can see that Türkiye is leading nations dissatisfied with the current international order, calling for its reform. As our president has expressed with the concepts ‘Türkiye is bigger than Türkiye’ and ‘The world is bigger than five,’ Türkiye is not just voicing these calls but backing them with action, together with friendly countries.”

Eren noted that TIKA has organized 26 joint trainings with Anadolu so far, with war journalism being one of the most successful modules.

He said: “Conflicts, wars, and crises are unfortunately today’s reality. Ideally, they would not exist anywhere in the world. But given Türkiye’s location—our proximity to the Middle East, to Russia-Ukraine, and other potential conflict zones—we inevitably face these crises. As a nation, we have developed a serious capacity to respond.”

Addressing the trainees, he said: “Through this program, when you return to your countries, I believe you will be able to practice journalism in a more accurate, impartial, and safer way.”

'Journalists working in Gaza are paying the heaviest price'

Police Academy President Murat Balci emphasized that the academy has long been at the forefront of academic studies in Turkey's security field and continues to do so through research and training.

He described the academy as a center that also supports professions representing humanity’s conscience and commitment to truth. He highlighted that journalists carrying pens and cameras as symbols of justice are now being martyred in Gaza under Israeli attacks.

“Journalists working in Gaza are paying the heaviest price to deliver truth to humanity. Amid bombardments, street clashes, and blockades, they document the genocide a nation is enduring, inscribing truth into history,” he said.

Balci explained that the 27th Term War Journalism Training has been prepared for journalists carrying this heavy mission.

“Through a comprehensive curriculum developed with contributions from experts, our trainees will learn how to ensure their safety under harsh conditions while also gaining the capacity to deliver the truth swiftly and accurately to the public,” he said.

He believed that graduates of this program would become powerful advocates for oppressed peoples worldwide, citing Anadolu's book The Evidence, which has evolved beyond a historical document to become a cornerstone in the fight for justice.

The 12-day training consists of 26 courses covering a wide range of topics, including reporting techniques, personal safety, war terminology, first aid, advanced driving, water survival, handling explosives and hazardous materials, and emergency media management.