Turkey's First "Maritime Journalism" Panel Held in Mersin: Past, Present, and the AI Era of the Sector Discussed

In a first for Turkey, a "Maritime Journalism" panel was organized through the collaboration of Mersin University's City Cooperation Commission, the Faculty of Maritime Studies, the Faculty of Communication, and the Mersin Chamber of Shipping (MDTO). The event extensively addressed the historical development of the maritime press and the future of artificial intelligence in the media.

The event, held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Mersin University Faculty of Maritime Studies Conference Hall, drew significant interest from both academia and the maritime world. Attendees included Rectors' Advisors Prof. Dr. İlker Fatih Kara and Prof. Dr. İlhan Ege, Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies Prof. Dr. Nur Jale Ece, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Dr. Aslıhan Ardıç Çobaner, Dean of the Faculty of Science Prof. Dr. Recep Özen, Director of the Institute of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Recep Ünal, MDTO Secretary General Fuat Gedik, Board Treasurer Member Atahan Çukurova, and numerous students.

"A Bridge Carrying What Lies Beyond the Horizon to the Shore"

Following a moment of silence and the national anthem, the program began with opening remarks from Prof. Dr. Nur Jale Ece, Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies, who spoke on the strategic importance of the Turkish maritime sector in global transformation. Prof. Dr. Ece stated, "With its strategic geographical location, developing port infrastructure, and growing maritime trade volume, Turkey is becoming increasingly influential on a regional and global scale. Making this rise visible in the international arena is only possible through qualified maritime journalism. Maritime journalism serves as a bridge, carrying what happens beyond the horizon to the shore".

Prof. Dr. Aslıhan Ardıç Çobaner, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, emphasized that maritime journalism is a field requiring technical knowledge and expertise far beyond general journalism. Highlighting the importance of the bridge built between the two faculties in a port city like Mersin, Çobaner noted the necessity of strengthening the capacity of journalists to report on critical issues such as crisis communication and maritime safety.

Cahit İstikbal: A Historical Journey and Warnings on Artificial Intelligence

The opening speeches were followed by the panel session moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erdem Akkan. One of the most notable presentations was delivered by Atty. Capt. Cahit İstikbal, founder of DenizHaber.Com, SeaNews Turkey, and SeaNews Magazine.

In his presentation titled "Maritime Sector Journalism in Turkey," İstikbal shared the digital transformation story of the sector through his own experiences. He explained that in 1998, when even national daily newspapers in Turkey had not fully transitioned to internet journalism, they established the Turkish Maritime Pilots' Association website, turkishpilots.org, for which he personally wrote the software infrastructure. He emphasized that this initiative was the starting point for maritime internet journalism in Turkey.

İstikbal noted that as the need for an independent news outlet in the sector grew, DenizHaber.Com, Turkey's first dedicated maritime news site, was launched in 2004. He further added that in 2013, SeaNews—a digital and print publication in English—was established to give Turkish maritime a voice in the international arena.

"Deep Sectoral Analysis Will Be the Journalist's Last Refuge"

In the section of his presentation titled "The Prophecy of a Journalist," İstikbal drew attention to the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and offered striking predictions for the future of media. His key findings included:

Automated Production: Routine developments such as weather reports and port statistics will be produced in seconds by large language models.

The Value of Human Judgment: Against an invasion of synthetic comments, deep sectoral analysis and original human reasoning—which AI cannot easily replicate—will become far more valuable, serving as the "last refuge" for journalists.

The New Role of the Communicator: Communicators will no longer be mere writers; they will become the editors, directors, and ethical overseers of AI tools.

İstikbal also offered career advice to young communicators, stating they should use AI as a tool, like a pen, rather than viewing it as an enemy. He urged the youth: "First, learn maritime; you cannot have a ship report without a ship. Read the legislation, always verify your sources, and use technical terms with great care".

A Common Message from Industry Veterans: Specialization and Growth

Other distinguished guests of the panel, Ayşe Olcay, General Coordinator of İMEAK Maritime Trade Magazine, and İlker Meşe, General Editorial Coordinator of Maritime Magazine, also shared important insights into the dynamics of sectoral journalism.

Ayşe Olcay stated that it is essential for communication faculty students to master maritime literature and basic concepts before turning to this field. İlker Meşe emphasized that it is decisive for young people entering the maritime media to make their personal development activities continuous. The common emphasis among the panelists was the profound need for "expert witness journalism," particularly in technical matters like ship accidents.

The program, followed with great interest by participants, concluded after a Q&A session with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the moderator and panelists, followed by a group photo