02.12.2025 16:50
Following the dismissal of 14 employees at Sözcü TV, a significant change was made in the management team. Yılmaz Özdil was appointed as the President of Sözcü Media Group. İpek Özbey became the General Editor of Sözcü TV, while Güney Öztürk, a columnist for Sözcü Newspaper, was appointed as the General Manager of Sözcü TV.
After the dismissal of 14 people from Sözcü TV without any justification, significant changes were made in the channel's management team.
YILMAZ ÖZDİL HAS TAKEN OVER Sözcü TV
Yılmaz Özdil has become the President of the Sözcü Media Group, which includes Sözcü and Korkusuz Newspapers as well as Sözcü TV. İpek Özbey has been appointed as the new Editor-in-Chief, replacing Özgür Çakmakçı, and Güney Öztürk, a columnist for Sözcü Newspaper, has been appointed as the general manager of the channel.
The channel had parted ways with the following journalists:
- Özgür Çakmakçı - Editor-in-Chief
- Hakan Durmuş - Broadcast Coordinator
- Emel Okaygün - News Director
- Dora Mengüç - News Director
- Cem Özkeskin - Istanbul News Director
- Gülşah İnce - Presenter
- Fırat Fıstık - Reporter
- Meral Danyıldız - Reporter
- Ozan Kelleci - Reporter
- Mehmet Bal - Reporter
- Onurcan Kankal - Cameraman
"NOT PLAZAS BUT STREETS ARE OURS"
Özgür Çakmakçı, who has been serving as the Editor-in-Chief since 2023, announced his departure from the position by stating, "As of today, I am leaving the position of Editor-in-Chief of Sözcü TV. If I have unintentionally hurt anyone, I apologize. Not plazas but streets are ours; we will eventually meet and talk. We have reached the end of this road, but the journey will certainly continue on other paths. Stay safe..."
"I LEARNED THAT I WAS DISMISSED ALONG WITH 14 COLLEAGUES"
Fırat Fıstık, who was dismissed, stated, "I learned today that I was dismissed along with 14 colleagues due to a management change at Sözcü TV, where I have worked for 2 years. No matter how difficult the conditions are, we will certainly continue to do journalism. I hope to meet in new places."
"WE DO NOT KNOW THE REASON"
Meral Danyıldız also wrote the following on her X account:
"When I started, the channel had not yet opened. On the morning of 01.01.2025, I came to Sözcü TV to do the news as usual. Then HR called and I learned that I was dismissed. I believe around 14 of my colleagues received the same notice... We still do not know the reason.
I wish the new management, which will start tomorrow, all the best. Thus, I have also experienced what it feels like to be fired. :) Everything passes. What matters is to leave with a clear conscience and dignity. I am very comfortable with myself. For this reason, I am very happy. The rest is now fate."
"SEE YOU IN NEW PLATFORMS"
Cem Özkeskin also stated, "I have left Sözcü TV, where I have worked for 2 years and served as the Istanbul News Director, as of today. I would like to thank the founder of the television, Alişer Delek, as well as Editor-in-Chief Özgür Çakmakçı and all my colleagues. See you in new platforms."