• 'Within the vision of 'A fairer world is possible' outlined by our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, we are working to ensure equal representation and the prevalence of truth in global media'
• 'I believe that the photographs, produced with great effort, will meet their true audience on such a prestigious platform as the İstanbul Photo Awards'
• 'I congratulate both Anadolu Agency and the hardworking professionals who brought these photographs together with such dedication'
• 'I would like to emphasize that Anadolu Agency has done outstanding work. The books ‘The Evidence’ and ‘Witness’ have been presented as official records of crime against humanity to the International Criminal Court and to the conscience of the public

ISTANBUL

Türkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said Friday that “photography is what shortens the distance between perception and reality,” noting that atrocities in Palestine and Gaza over the past years have produced striking images.

Addressing the opening of the “İstanbul Photo Awards 2025” exhibition, he highlighted the medium’s documentary power and praised Anadolu Agency for publishing books on Israel’s Gaza genocide, including Witness and The Evidence.

Duran added that the atrocities in Palestine and Gaza over the past years have produced striking images that “show the world that more than 63,000 people have been killed, that starvation is being used as a weapon, and that millions of Palestinians are subjected to various atrocities. More than showing, they are now crying out.”

Emphasizing that facing reality involves many sacrifices, he continued: "Within the vision of 'A fairer world is possible' outlined by our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, we are working to ensure equal representation and the prevalence of truth in global media."

He further added: "In this regard, I believe that the photographs, produced with great effort, will meet their true audience on such a prestigious platform as the Istanbul Photo Awards. Therefore, I congratulate both Anadolu Agency and the hardworking professionals who brought these photographs together with such dedication."

"Here, we are not only facing frames from sports, news, environment, or daily life. In fact, unfortunately, we are also seeing many events happening across the world. More precisely, we are confronting reality," he stated.

A single photograph conveys reality more powerfully than books

Duran stressed that words are sometimes not enough to describe certain moments, and that is when photographs come into play.

"Photography is what shortens the distance between perception and reality. Today, we will all observe and witness this together at the exhibition. I should also note that it serves as a document — in other words, ‘Evidence.’ As you know, Anadolu Agency has published books documenting the genocide in Gaza, including one titled ‘Witness.’"

Duran said Israel killed nearly 250 journalists for documenting the genocide, stressing that the records they left behind tore through silence and stirred the world’s conscience.

He added that the “Gaza-Deir al-Balah” photo by Palestinian Saeed Jaras, which won Photo of the Year at the İstanbul Photo Awards, is a striking example, as it shows parents mourning their children.

He noted that while volumes could be written about such moments of massacre, a single photograph conveys the reality more powerfully than books ever could.

Duran expressed his hope to see “the murderer Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration” held accountable with the harshest penalties in international courts and to witness the photographs documenting it.

He added: “In this regard, I would like to emphasize that Anadolu Agency has done outstanding work. The books ‘The Evidence’ and ‘Witness’ have been presented as official records of this crime against humanity to the International Criminal Court and to the conscience of the public. I hope these books, ‘Witness’ and ‘The Evidence,’ will serve as photographs that contribute to the prosecution of Netanyahu and his network of perpetrators, and that we may take pride in this achievement.”

Duran highlighted that in today’s era of digitally produced images, even visuals must be verified, especially with AI-generated realities, emphasizing the media’s growing responsibility.

After touring the exhibition, he told Anadolu reporters that he saw powerful images reflecting humanity worldwide, noting the winning photo’s depiction of the tragedy in Gaza and Israel’s atrocities.

He praised Anadolu for providing a platform that helps professionals showcase reality and contribute to a shared collective memory.