08.01.2026 11:50
Former Habertürk presenter Nur Köşker responded to Mehmet Akif Ersoy's statement, who was arrested as part of a drug investigation, saying, "He was fired from the channel for acting foolishly. That is why he harbors animosity towards us." Köşker added, "May God protect all women from those who use their reproductive organs instead of merit and conscience."
Journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who was arrested as part of the drug investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, denied the systematic harassment allegations made by former Habertürk presenter Nur Köşker in his additional statement.
In his additional statement, Ersoy said about Köşker, "Nur Köşker was fired from the channel for her ridiculous behavior. For this reason, she harbors animosity towards us. There are cameras recording 24/7 in the elevators of Habertürk. Her statements are slanderous and unfounded. I heard that she was involved in a similar slander case at a channel she previously worked at. I may have messaged her as a friend before I became the editor-in-chief, but after I became the editor-in-chief, I did not message her in any way."
NUR KÖŞKER RESPONDED
Nur Köşker responded to the statements made by Mehmet Akif Ersoy in his additional statement. "If the issue is merit, you must explain this situation to the public in a reasonable way. If the matter is other dynamics, then you cannot brush it off by saying 'animosity.' I have always said, I still say, and I will say again: May God protect all women from those who use their genitals instead of merit and conscience," she stated.
"WHY DID I PRESENT THE MAIN NEWS FOR A LONG TIME?"
Köşker's statement from her X account is as follows:
"Accusing a woman who raises harassment allegations of 'harboring animosity because she was fired' is unfortunately a very familiar defense reflex in this country. Did I resign, or was I fired? It is not hard to find out. The Human Resources Manager of that period can be asked. Additionally, it can easily be confirmed who said, 'We are very pleased with her work, but we suggested a position change to her, and she wants to resign because she did not accept it. We could not convince her.' If it is claimed that I made 'ridiculous behaviors,' the inevitable question is: Why was such a person kept at the channel for a long time, and why did she present the main news?
It should not be forgotten that my entry into Habertürk was through a female manager. The problem started with this well-known person in the industry being appointed as the editor-in-chief, who is known for harassing many women; from my perspective, the process ended with my resignation decision to protect myself. These sentences mean a lot to those who want to understand.
"MAY GOD PROTECT FROM THOSE WHO USE THEIR GENITALS INSTEAD OF CONSCIENCE"
I have no animosity towards the Habertürk brand. On the contrary, it is an institution I work for with love and have invested my effort in. One must really ask what kind of animosity a presenter could have with the channel they work for. The answer to this question should also be provided: If the issue was my behavior, how do you explain the removal of other experienced female presenters from the channel during the same period? Were these individuals also making 'ridiculous behaviors,' or was there a will to open space for other preferences based on romantic stories on screen?
For example, how can the placement of someone with no television background, no screen experience, and a professional formation belonging to a completely different field in one of the country's most established news screens with zero broadcasting experience be explained by any editorial criteria? If the issue is merit, you must explain this situation to the public in a reasonable way. If the matter is other dynamics, then you cannot brush it off by saying 'animosity.' I have always said, I still say, and I will say again: May God protect all women from those who use their genitals instead of merit and conscience."