Author and journalist Kaya Genç joins Turkey recap editor Diego Cupolo to talk about what it means to report and write about Turkey in 2026 amid the latest wave of repression on government opponents, cultural figures and free speech, in general.
The discussion covers censorship and the ethical quandaries reporters must navigate to perform their jobs. Genç also reflects on the responsibility of intellectuals in periods of democratic backsliding and what drives him to continue documenting the people and spaces that exist despite it all.
Genç has been a professional journalist for about 20 years. His recent books include Şehir and The Lion and the Nightingale: A Journey Through Modern Turkey.
Referenced in this talk:
The Turkish government’s grip on journalism is tightening (Index on Censorship)
Under the Shadow: Rage and Revolution in Modern Turkey (Bloomsbury)
Peace be the promise (Eurozine)
The people who clean up your TikTok feed are starting to fight back (Rest of World)
Istanbul Biennial ends early following curator departure (The Art Newspaper)
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Diego Cupolo, Editor-in-chief
Emily Rice Johnson, Deputy editor
Ceren Bayar, Parliament correspondent
Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu, Parliament correspondent
Günsu Durak, Stüdyo recap editor
Demet Şöhret, Social media and content manager
