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Türkiye's media ombudsman Faruk Bildirici has argued that citizen journalists, digital content creators and street interviewers cannot automatically be regarded as journalists, stressing that professional ethics and responsibility should determine who qualifies for the profession.
In an article titled "Can there be fake journalists, just as there are fake police officers?", Bildirici criticized news reports about a suspect arrested in Izmir for allegedly impersonating both a police officer and a journalist.
He argued that the suspect, identified by the initials A.U.S., had primarily faced legal action for impersonating a police officer rather than for presenting himself as a journalist.
Bildirici pointed to social media accounts that present themselves as news outlets while using journalism for commercial activities or financial gain.
He said dozens of such accounts have operated for years without facing challenges over their claims to journalistic identity.
According to Bildirici, the distinction should come down to whether individuals follow universal journalistic principles, uphold professional standards and take responsibility for the information they publish.
Applying these criteria, he argued that people operating as citizen journalists, digital content creators, street interviewers and what he described as "fragmentary news reporters" should not be classified as journalists.
He also maintained that influencers and other social media personalities should not be associated with journalism simply because they produce online content.
While calling for action against individuals who misrepresent themselves as journalists and undermine the profession, Bildirici also emphasized the need for established journalism to adapt to changing media habits.
He argued that journalists should find new ways to play a more active role in spreading information across social networks rather than leaving gaps that could be filled by accounts operating outside professional standards.
Bildirici concluded that protecting journalism from misrepresentation should go hand in hand with strengthening its presence in the digital environment.
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