News: Senanur Akat – Amine Yağmur Göz
The guest of this week's Media Arena program, organized by the Media Lab Workshop of the Faculty of Communication at İstinye University, was CNN Türk Reporter Merve Tokaz. In the talk titled "The Voice Reaching the Audience: Capturing the Moment in Journalism," Tokaz shared her professional experiences, field experiences, and advice with the students.
“I Was Once Like You”
Starting her speech by recounting her student years, Tokaz expressed that her interest in journalism began in middle school. Having studied journalism at Istanbul University, Tokaz said, “On my first day at university, I went to the İletim Newspaper. Because this profession is done not by waiting but by taking action.”
Field Reporting: Being at the Center of Crisis
Tokaz stated that she prefers being in the field rather than desk reporting, emphasizing the vital importance of managing crisis moments and conveying accurate information quickly. “Hotel fires, earthquakes, explosions... You never know when something will happen. But you must be ready to go on air at any moment,” she said, noting that staying calm during crises is a fundamental element of journalism.
“Journalism Is Not Memorization, It’s Interpreting the Moment”
Tokaz highlighted the importance of observation and improvisation over speaking from memory in field broadcasts. “A detail you see can sometimes become the focal point of the entire broadcast. That sheet, the man standing by the rubble, that silence... You can't convey these without feeling them,” she said. Tokaz noted that she tries to balance news language with sincerity, stating that connecting with the public has the most powerful impact.
“Your Source Should Be the Truth, Not Another Journalist”
Emphasizing that one of the most important ethical rules in journalism is verifying information, Tokaz said, “What matters is not what you hear from another journalist, but official and verified information. Being accurate is as important as being fast.” She warned young journalists about the trust issues misleading news can cause in the industry, advising them to “choose your sources wisely.”
Message to the Youth: “Start Today, Take Action”
At the end of the event, Tokaz addressed the students, saying that internship periods are one of the most important steps in a career. “Be visible during your internship. You need to make an extra effort to be noticed. Even those working at the channel didn't think I was an intern,” she said, stressing the importance of taking this period seriously.
“Narrative Power Is More Important Than Visuals”
Tokaz emphasized the need to break the perception that appearance is prioritized in television journalism, saying, “What gives confidence to the audience is not makeup, but sincerity and mastery of the subject.” She expressed that carrying and conveying the spirit of the news is much more important than the visuals reflected on the screen. Following the talk, a certificate of appreciation was presented to Erdoğan Aktaş by Media Lab Director Dr. Tugay Sarıkaya and Dr. Özgenur Reyhan Güler.
As part of the Media Arena talks organized by the İstinye University Faculty of Communication Media Workshop, our next guest will be İHA Deputy General Manager/Journalist Özgür Yorul, who will meet with young communicators.