Professional journalism organizations in Turkey announced their support for photographer Ahmed Demir after he was assaulted by journalist Muhram Sarıkaya while trying to adjust audio settings. Demir, a photographer for the İhlas News Agency (İHA), was involved in the incident during an interview Sarıkaya was conducting via Habertürk with the mayor of Gaziantep, Fatma Şahin, last Friday at the Gaziantep Panorama Museum. Şahin continued speaking as if nothing had happened and later wrote a note while calling someone over, appearing angry. Although the assault was not visible on screen, it was documented via a mobile phone.
In response, the Diplomats’ Correspondents Association, the Economic Reporters Association, the Parliamentary Reporters Association, the Photographers Association in Turkey, and the Turkish News Photographers Association issued a joint statement condemning Muhram Sarıkaya, stating: "We strongly condemn Muhram Sarıkaya’s actions against his fellow journalist, which are not in line with conscience, ethics, and human dignity. To this day, we do not recognize Muhram Sarıkaya as our colleague or a ‘journalist’ while defending human rights and working in front of cameras. The slap against the photographer behind the camera has pained our hearts like everyone else. We firmly reject all forms of violence and wish our colleague who suffered violence a swift recovery, and we announce to the public that we will follow this event to the end."
Additionally, the Journalists Association commented: "We condemn the violence perpetrated by journalist Muhram Sarıkaya against photographer Ahmed Demir during the live broadcast in Gaziantep, and regarding this unacceptable behavior, the honorary council of the Journalists' Union will take necessary actions." The Turkish Journalists Union (TGS) also announced that it would provide all kinds of legal support to Demir.
For his part, Ahmed Demir commented on the incident during a conversation with Cumhuriyet newspaper, explaining: "I was doing my job as a photographer... Muhram wanted to use his phone, and I wanted to give him mine, but he refused. Even though it wasn't my responsibility, I handled the situation and handed over my phone for the call, and then he did this... It was very difficult for me not to be able to do anything while the guest did nothing." Demir noted that he only accepted Sarıkaya's apology under pressure from his manager, adding that he had spoken to his lawyer and was planning to file a lawsuit against Sarıkaya.
Fatma Şahin, the interview guest, wrote on Twitter: "Muhram Sarıkaya’s reaction during the live broadcast on Habertürk was very wrong... After all, Muhram Sarıkaya apologized to our friend Ahmed Demir, as he wrote in his message."
In a statement, Habertürk said: "Considering the unacceptable and unjustified behavior of Ankara correspondent Muhram Sarıkaya during the live broadcast on 'Habertürk' with the mayor of Gaziantep, Fatma Şahin, against Ahmed Demir, we sincerely apologize to the entire public." Sarıkaya also issued an apology in a statement on Twitter, saying: "During the live broadcast we conducted with Gaziantep Mayor Fatma Şahin, I lost control for a moment due to recurring technical issues and acted inappropriately for myself and the institution I represent. As soon as the broadcast ended, I separately apologized to Mr. Ahmed Demir and Mr. Orhan Akın, the regional director, who was present at that time. I spoke to them individually over the phone about an hour later, clarified that what I did was wrong, and reiterated my apologies to both. I now apologize to the public."
