03.03.2025 16:42
Journalist Ertuğrul Özkök was a guest on the "Haber Bahane" program hosted by Gökay Kalaycıoğlu on Haberler.com. Responding to the criticisms directed at him, Özkök emphasized that his opinions can change, stating, "They call me a turncoat, but I don't take offense; I am indeed a turncoat." He also revealed that he did not leave Hürriyet of his own accord, but rather that his employment was terminated.
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On the screens of Haberler.com, Ertuğrul Özkök, who was a guest of Gökay Kalaycıoğlu, made striking statements about his journalism career. Özkök, who maintained a relaxed attitude in the face of criticism, sincerely shared the difficulties he faced in his professional life and his changing opinions.
"THEY CALL ME 'FLIP-FLOP', I DON'T MIND, I SAY MYSELF I AM A FLIP-FLOP, MY OPINIONS CAN CHANGE"
Responding harshly to the criticisms directed at him, Özkök stated, "They call me 'flip-flop', I don't mind, I say myself I am a flip-flop, my opinions can change," expressing that his views may change over time.
"I INTRODUCED THINGS THAT NEVER EXISTED IN THE HISTORY OF HÜRRİYET NEWSPAPER"
Speaking about the innovations he made during his tenure as the Editor-in-Chief of Hürriyet Newspaper, Özkök emphasized that he brought a different understanding to the media with his words, "I introduced things that never existed in the history of Hürriyet newspaper."
"I BECAME A VERY HATED JOURNALIST"
Özkök also mentioned that he was criticized as much as he was loved in the press community, stating, "I became a very hated journalist," indicating that his position in the media has always been controversial.
"A BOMB EXPLODED UNDER MY FOOT TWICE"
Özkök, who stated that he faced great dangers in his journalism life, shared his frightening moments by saying, "A bomb exploded under my foot twice."
"A BOMB EXPLODED UNDER MY OFFICE, I SURVIVED BY CHANCE"
Speaking about events that put his life at risk, Özkök recounted, "A bomb exploded under my office, I survived by chance," explaining that he survived by a stroke of luck.
"I BUILT MY CAREER AS A JOURNALIST CLOSE TO THE POWER"
Özkök acknowledged that he was known as a journalist close to the power throughout his career, responding openly to these criticisms by saying, "I built my career as a journalist close to the power."
"THEY CALLED ME 'ÖZKÖŞK' BECAUSE I WAS CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENT"
Özkök, who noted that his close relationship with presidents was often criticized, explained how he earned this nickname by saying, "They called me 'Özköşk' because I was close to the president."
"I DID NOT LEAVE HÜRRİYET, I WAS FIRED"
Touching on one of the most significant turning points in his journalism career, Özkök summarized the changes he experienced in the media sector with the words, "I did not leave Hürriyet, I was fired."
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