The documentary “We Loved Radio So Much” at Üsküdar Communication

The “We Loved Radio So Much” event, jointly organized by Üsküdar University’s Faculty of Communication, Radio Television and Cinema Department, the Human-Centered Communication Application and Research Center (İLMER), and the Cinema Club, met with students. The documentary’s producers, Prof. Dr. Özden Cankaya and Prof. Dr. Nazan Haydari, attended the event. 

Dr. Lecturer Hale Yaylalı from the Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication, Radio Television and Cinema Department, moderated the event held at the Fuat Sezgin Conference Hall of Üsküdar University South Campus. Radio Broadcaster and Academician Prof. Dr. Özden Cankaya, İstanbul Bilgi University Faculty of Communication faculty member Prof. Dr. Nazan Haydari, and faculty academicians attended the event. 

Within this scope, the production process, historical background, and emotional dimensions of the documentary, which was shaped by the testimonies of female radio broadcasters who worked at TRT for many years, were shared with the participants. 

Following the screening of the documentary, students had the opportunity to hear details about the production process directly from the documentary’s producers. 

Prof. Dr. Özden Cankaya: “Seeing their passion even after 40 years deeply affected me”

Prof. Dr. Özden Cankaya emphasized that this documentary, which started as an oral history project, was very valuable to her in both emotional and historical terms. Cankaya said, “Seeing the passion of female radio broadcasters for their profession even after 40 years deeply affected me.” Cankaya stated that this work not only tells the story of the programs made but also the women behind those programs, expressing that hearing women’s voices again after years was a very special experience for both them and the audience.

Prof. Dr. Nazan Haydari: “Making visible the struggles of women in institutional structures was very valuable” 

Prof. Dr. Nazan Haydari stated that the documentary is not just a record of media history but also an important work to make visible the struggles women faced in institutional structures. Haydari said, “In this project, documenting the strong voices of women and how they struggled within an institutional structure was very valuable for us,” adding that the long-silent contributions of female radio broadcasters could become visible through this documentary. 

Later, questions from students were answered, and certificates of appreciation were presented to the participants.

 The event concluded with a group photo session.