This report presents the key insights and discussions from the media Comparative Study Visit jointly organised by the Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) and the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DTSO) in Istanbul on 8 November 2025, titled “The Importance of Language in Peace Processes and the Role of the Media.” Held at a moment of rapid political change and heightened public interest in Türkiye’s evolving peace dynamics, the meeting offered a timely platform for examining how information, communication and journalistic practice shape the broader landscape of democratic dialogue.
Türkiye’s media environment has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Deepening polarisation, shrinking spaces for public debate and increasing political pressures have made the responsibilities of journalists more complex and more consequential. In this context, media professionals are not only conveyors of information; they play a central role in shaping public understanding, influencing confidence in political processes and contributing to the resilience of democratic culture. DPI’s purpose in convening this Comparative Study Visit was to reflect on this evolving role and to create a constructive space in which participants could consider how media language and narrative framing can support peace and social cohesion at moments of transition.
International experiences, most notably from Northern Ireland, demonstrate clearly how the tone, vocabulary and structure of public communication can influence the trajectory of peace efforts. Two journalists who played key roles during the Northern Ireland peace process, Brian Rowan and Owen Bowcott, shared their insights during the meeting. Their reflections underscored that reporting in times of conflict is never a purely technical task: the words chosen, the context provided and the tone adopted can either reinforce tensions or contribute to the gradual building of trust. They also highlighted the important link between media practice, truth-telling, accountability and long-term societal healing.
Throughout the discussions, participants, journalists, academics, parliamentarians and civil society representatives, reflected on how the relationship between media and politics is reshaped during peace processes and how public perceptions are influenced by news framing. They also emphasised why transparent, responsible communication is essential in times of uncertainty. Exchanges between participants from different political and professional backgrounds demonstrated the extent to which societal mistrust, unresolved grievances and emotional burdens shape the public’s engagement with political developments. A recurring theme was the significant contribution that careful, inclusive and ethical journalism can make to restoring public confidence.
These conversations carry particular weight in the current Turkish context. Türkiye is experiencing one of the most significant openings in relation to the Kurdish issue since the 2013–2015 peace process. Recent developments like the establishment of the Commission on National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy, the PKK’s announcement of a full withdrawal from Türkiye and the resurgence of discussions on return and reintegration—have generated both cautious optimism and uncertainty. The success of such a sensitive undertaking depends not only on political decisions but also on how well society understands the process and feels included in it. This underscores the vital need for accurate, accessible and credible public communication. For DPI, this meeting represents a continuation of our commitment to fostering informed and inclusive dialogue during periods of political transition. By convening different perspectives at such a critical juncture, DPI and DTSO aimed to strengthen the channels of democratic communication that will be essential in the coming phases of Türkiye’s peace effort.