Prof. Nazife Güngör: Did Narin's murder turn into a show in the media?
Narin Güran's death has revived the media's approach to the murders of women and children. While some newspapers used expressions such as "She became an angel" and "Her eyes were sparkling" for Narin, in the tabloids, announcers screamed and cried on the air, and a reporter said, "I felt that she would be found." Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör evaluated how Narin Güran's death was covered by the media and the effects of these approaches on society.
The death of 8-year-old Narin Güran, whose lifeless body was found 19 days after she went missing in the Tavşantepe Neighborhood of the Bağlar district of Diyarbakir, deeply affected all of Türkiye.
The incident, which shook the media agenda with arrests, releases, search efforts, allegations and speculation, and had wide repercussions, brought the media's approach to the murders of women and children back to the agenda. While some newspapers used expressions such as "She became an angel" and "Her eyes are sparkling", social media influencers screamed on television and a reporter commented, "I felt that she would be found today." In addition, an announcer presented the news by crying on the live broadcast.
How should such news be covered in the media and what are the points to be considered? Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör evaluated how Narin Güran's death was covered in the media and the effects of these approaches on society.
Rating, circulation, individual show
Stating that such events can turn into a show from time to time, Nazife Güngör made the following remarks:
"A number of people are trying to turn such incidents to their advantage. In other words, there is a terrible event; however, some people are trying to get the maximum benefit from this event. Unfortunately, our media has also sought to make the most of this situation. Some turned this horrific event into ratings concerns, circulation concerns, and individual shows."
"Journalists do not have such a right"
On some screens, news anchors are crying and telling the news. This circumstance takes precedence over the event itself. The journalist has no such right. It is unacceptable for them to use the incident to make their own show. We shadow the event with our own tears, and we make our own show instead of conveying information. Therefore, attention needs to be paid to this. Now they will say, "We are human too. We cannot stand it, and we get emotional." You will endure, and you will regulate your emotions in some way. One can cry behind the camera after they are done reporting the news, but why cry in front of the cameras?"
"It is not the job of the media to target them"
"Some reporters are also reporting in tears in the village where the incident took place, but they say, 'I cannot get any information.' Then do not wait around at that village. This horrific event is also handled in the legal dimension. The media should not declare anyone guilty or define a crime before the investigation and judicial processes are completed. It is not the job of the media to target or identify criminals in the transmission of information."
"They are also pursuing their own popularity."
Güngör evaluated the approach of politicians to the Narin incident as follows:
"In the Narin incident, some politicians are also involved and make statements. They are also pursuing their own popularity. The incident is turned into a fictional scenario and the real problem is taken out of context. Then it fades into oblivion. Such incidents have always taken place in Türkiye, but most of them remained in a closed society. With the spread of social media, local events were quickly reflected in the media."
"Are our genes corrupted?"
Addressing the social dimension of the incident, Güngör concluded her remarks as follows:
"A young child who has not yet matured in social relations is killed due to problems in the family or chaotic environments. Their right to life is being taken away. This shows that there is a great social blockage and contamination. Are the problems in family structures, economic problems, or cultural crises? Are our genes corrupted? All these need to be questioned and researched with expert opinions and from an academic point of view. Failing to inform the public does not solve the problem. The public needs to be informed and enlightened. If information is given, problems are thought about, and solutions are produced. A society that is unaware of its own problems cannot solve its problems."