Local press in quake-hit Adıyaman still struggle to recover after six months

Six months have passed since the catastrophic earthquakes that shook Turkey on February 6. The local press organizations in the 11 most affected provinces are working to heal the wounds endured during this period.

Among these, Mercan TV, based in Adıyaman, stands as one example. They have managed to fit their studios into a 20-square-meter tent.

The earthquake, followed by a burst water pipe flooding their studios, resulted in the loss of most of their equipment. Nevertheless, they have persisted in their broadcasts since the fourth day of the earthquake.

The owner of the television channel and the head of the Adıyaman Active Journalists Association, İbrahim Aslan, begins by sharing the information that 13 journalists lost their lives in the city in teh quakes, including 5 of his colleagues.

Aslan informs that three daily newspapers in Adıyaman managed to resume their publications as of June 15. However, he notes that the problems have not been completely resolved. Describing their experience, Aslan says, “Following the earthquake, we requested containers from Governor Mahmut Çuhadar, Minister Mehmet Muş, and Adil Karaismailoğlu. Unfortunately, no one provided assistance. Instead, we borrowed a tent from a friend in Kahta.

“We set up the tent in the yard of the Agricultural Credit Cooperative. It was empty and there was a metro internet line. We were unaware that the space we set up [the tent] was their property.

“It was the fourth day after the earthquake when we began broadcasting from the tent, and we continue to do so. Meanwhile, we started the repair work on the building. It will be completed in about 15 days, but the difficulties we faced on the first day of the earthquake persist.”

Photo: Canan Kaya/Twitter

As to whether government institutions supported them during this period, Aslan says, “No. The state did not offer any assistance. We only requested a temporary container. We didn’t ask for anything while broadcasting from the tent or producing the newspaper. We didn’t ask for any devices. We simply requested a container, which was not provided.”

However, Aslan later adds that the Adıyaman Governor’s Office established a site for media outlets and allocated containers to media organizations, but they rejected this offer.

“Studio flooded, equipment lost”

Aslan mentions that a television outlet typically requires an area ranging from 300 to 700 square meters, whereas the tents and containers are about 20 square meters.

“There are no bathrooms, no heating, no cooling. They’re just large enough for typesetters to stay in.

“We realized that we could manage our work within this 20-square-meter tent. However, we couldn’t set up lighting or other systems. After the earthquake, our studio was flooded, resulting in the loss of all our equipment. We also had a studio in Mersin, and we brought their equipment to start our broadcasts again.

“Later on, we obtained a container next to the tent. We relocated the main control broadcasting room there. Given the circumstances, that was all we could do at the time. During that period, we were the only channel that could broadcast from the earthquake-affected region.”

“Rising through solidarity”

Aslan says that the tents and containers become uncomfortably cold in winter and unbearably hot in summer. However, they endure these conditions to shed light on the region’s issues.

He notes that Yeniyol newspaper, based in Adıyaman, is part of the same media group. They also prepared and published the newspaper from Mersin.

“We had to endure all the difficulties. After all, we are from Adıyaman. We were the only television channel in Adıyaman. We wanted to address Adıyaman’s problems. We mobilized all our resources to highlight Adıyaman’s issues.

“We stood up through solidarity. For instance, our main news broadcasts were narrated and sent by a channel in Karabük for a certain period. The news center was managed from Mersin for three months. We tried to sustain the process this way, and we did.”

Photo: Mahmut Bozarslan/VOA

“Forgetfulness”

Aslan believes that the spirit of collaboration and attention to the issues have faded since the aftermath of the earthquake. “We have been forgotten everywhere,” he says.

“Politicians have forgotten, both the ruling party and the opposition. None of those who came and posed for photos in the early days of the earthquake are here now. Half of the rubble is still present. They demolish and remove it. These processes continue.

“Only those who experienced the earthquake truly understand it. My only wish is that the spectacles put on by politicians during the earthquake process don’t remain as mere spectacles. The opposition especially needs to bring these issues to the forefront. Currently, no one, including the opposition, is paying attention. People are left to deal with this on their own.”

(HA/VK)