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ANADOLU AGENCY

ANADOLU AGENCY FROM FOUNDATION TO THE PRESENT

Entrance

The history of Anadolu Agency is almost identical with the history of the Republic of Turkey. So much so that Anadolu Agency, which was established on April 6, 1920, 17 days before the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, announced the first laws enacted by this institution that established the state; He witnessed every stage of the National Struggle and the War of Independence, and the revolutions of the Republic.

Anadolu Agency is almost identical with the name Atatürk. Anadolu Agency correspondents stood by its founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in every work; they watched his country tours, publicized his address to the public, the goals he set, in the best way possible; They made an effort to root the revolutions carried out by Atatürk with their news. The news written by AA correspondents were included in the chronologies prepared on Atatürk and the Republic of Turkey; Anadolu Agency's news was frequently used in works about Atatürk's speeches and statements, in books describing Atatürk's country tours, and in history and memoirs. AA correspondents witnessed the joy and happiness Atatürk experienced in every good thing he did for the Republic of Turkey and its people; In his sickness, they were saddened as they announced the news of His health.

The history of Anadolu Agency is also important for the History of Turkish Press and the History of Turkish Literature. Leading the development of the Turkish press, such as Yunus Nadi Abalıoğlu, Ruşen Eşref Ünaydın, Falih Rıfkı Atay, important writers and researchers of Turkish literature such as Halide Edip Adıvar, Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoğlu, and many more have taken part in Anadolu Agency since its establishment, and they have struggled for its development. .

Anadolu Agency is also a witness to Turkish foreign policy and Turkey's social, economic and daily life. That's why AA's news and photos are a primary source for all researchers.

Before Anadolu Agency

At the beginning of the National Struggle, Anadolu Agency emerged from the great need for accurate and impartial journalism to make the voice of the national cause heard everywhere.

Before Anadolu Agency was established; In the center of the Ottoman Empire, which had lost the First World War and signed the Mudros Armistice with harsh conditions on October 30, 1918, the Turkey-Havas Reuter agency continued its work. The news published by the Turkey-Havas Reuter agency, which was established by giving news privileges to foreigners, in accordance with the agreement reached between the Allies that actually occupied Istanbul after the Armistice of Mudros and the Government of Damat Ferit Pasha, was not in Turkey's interests. Mustafa Kemal Pasha was also disturbed by the news of this agency that were fabricated, confusing and confusing.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who went to Samsun on 19 May, four days after the occupation of Izmir by the Greeks on May 15, 1919, lit the torch of the National Struggle, and made various attempts to make the voice of the liberation movement he had engaged in in Anatolia heard. Before the foundation of AA, Mustafa Kemal, who made the İradei Milliye newspaper, which he named himself, published on September 14, 1919, to announce the decisions taken at the Sivas Congress convened on September 4-11, 1919, immediately after his arrival in Ankara on December 27, 1919, He took up the newspaper issue as one of his works, and named the newspaper Hakimiyeti Milliye, which he pioneered to start publishing on January 10, 1920.

Anadolu Agency is Established

Upon the official occupation of Istanbul on March 16, 1920 and the closure of the Parliamentary Deputies, Mustafa Kemal Pasha informed the provinces and commands on March 19 that elections were held for the Assembly to be held in Ankara. Some intellectuals, who saw that it was no longer possible to stay in Istanbul, had been looking for ways to join the National Struggle for a while. This development would also lead to the establishment of Anadolu Agency.

Yunus Nadi (Abalıoğlu), owner of Yeni Gün newspaper, and journalist and writer Halide Edip (Adıvar), who were in two separate convoys on their way to Ankara, met on March 31 in Geyve. Continuing on their way by train, two “nationalist” intellectuals discussed the necessity of establishing an “agency organization” as soon as they went to Ankara during the break at the Geyve-Akhisar (now Pamukova) station. While Yunus Nadi and Halide Edip were talking about the agency; They decided on “Anadolu Agency” among the “Turkish,” “Ankara,” “Anadolu” options.

How was the name of Anadolu Agency Decided?

In her memoirs, Yunus Nadi describes the conversation between her and Halide Edip during the break at the station1:

“March 31, year 920. It is the fourth day and third morning of our arrival in Geyve. Today we will continue on our way to Ankara, because the group of Halide Edib lady we were waiting for arrived in Geyve yesterday afternoon.

“I could only meet with Halide Edib during a break at Akhisar station.”

During this speech, Halide Edip proposes to establish “an agency organization” in order to tell the just cause of Anatolia to the whole world:

“... as soon as we go, let's set up an agency organization, we will say it internally and externally through that means.

- First condition, ma'am. Then, of course, the details of this come; For example, at the first stage, publication, which in itself requires an organization. Then all the propaganda...

- Of course, all done in order. But in my opinion, the first job should be the agency. We can even name it here if you want: For example, Turkish Agency, for example Ankara Agency, for example Anadolu Agency... more can be found.

- Seems like the best name to me (Anadolu Agency).

- Me too. Isn't it, Anatolia is the first to save itself and, if possible, the whole country. So let's make our decision: Anadolu Agency...

- Yes, Anadolu Agency, ma'am...”

News Journey Under Fire

Anadolu Agency's news journey under fire started with this speech that Yunus Nadi and Halide Edip made at Geyve's Akhisar township station.

The convoy reached Ankara on April 1, 1920. In the words of Yunus Nadi, "on the evening of April 4 or 5", the establishment of the Anadolu Agency was brought to the agenda after the dinner at Mustafa Kemal Pasha's headquarters, "Ziraat Mektebi" (now the General Directorate of State Meteorology Affairs).

Establishment of Anadolu Agency is on the agenda

Yunus Nadi describes that historical night as follows :

“Then, Anadolu Agency, which we decided on at Akhisar station with Ms. Halide Edib, was mentioned. If Pasha was also successful, he had no thesis for tomorrow, he could start work immediately. Pasha found the idea very good. However, Pasha wanted to see for himself the first days' description of the news and articles that were to be written to be sent to the hometown by telegraph. So that there is nothing opposing to the politics and mentality that is followed.

-In the early days, he said, in these articles, it may be necessary to make some corrections in terms of both the idea and the style. However, after three or five days, since you will have already grasped the policy followed, the business will go on its own without the need for this.

Our decision regarding the agency was as follows: On the first day, Pasha would present the Anadolu Agency to the whole country. In other words, an Anadolu Agency was established in Ankara for such and such purposes. He will inform every part of the country of the current situation in this difficult time. He would say that you will spread this agency notice to the most remote corners of the country, in such and such forms, if possible and as much as possible. Halide Edib lady and I were going to collect the official, unofficial, local and foreign news that would be useful for those days and send them to the telegraph office to make at least two services a day.”

Halide Edip's Memoirs

The car sent by Mustafa Kemal, "climbing up to the top of the ridge with difficulty", was on its way to the "Agricultural School", which was used as the headquarters; “This place was the building that would create a new government and a new Republic,” says Halide Edip. Mustafa Kemal Pasha, with whom they sat facing each other on the sofa, asks Halide Edip about his impressions on the road3:

“Remembering our conversation with women both on the road and that morning, I immediately opened up the agency issue with Mr. Yunus Nadi on the way. Neither the outside world nor the inside of the country understood the meaning of the national movement. Because they didn't know about it. I explained that with Yunus Nadi, we talked about starting as Anadolu Agency. Our proposal was to send the news of this agency to every place that has a telegraph office and to paste it as an advertisement in mosques where it does not. Moreover, it was to bring the most important English and French newspapers in time to understand the world's sentiment. At the head of these papers were the Manchester Guardian, The Times, and the Dail Chronicle, which published Lloyd George's idea.

After agreeing on these points (Mustafa Kemal Pasha also said that he wanted to help the Hakimiyet-i Milliye newspaper, which Yunus Nadi Bey was preparing to publish there immediately. When I said he needed a typewriter, he promised that he would get it from the Ottoman Bank.”

Historical Circular

On the morning of this meeting, on April 6, 1920, Anadolu Agency was established. Mustafa Kemal immediately took action to announce the establishment of Anadolu Agency. Mustafa Kemal Pasha, by personally carrying out these works "on behalf of the Representative Committee", both showed the importance he gave to the function that Anadolu Agency would undertake and aimed to bring efficiency to it from the very beginning. Mustafa Kemal, to the whole country where the National Struggle ignited; He not only announced the establishment of Anadolu Agency with the "historical circular" he sent to military and civilian authorities; He also pointed out the importance of announcing the struggle being waged to the domestic and foreign public.

One of the civic centers where the "historical circular" regarding the establishment of Anadolu Agency was delivered was the "Sivas Women's Association". In today's Turkish, this telegram is as follows4:

                                                           Anatolian and Rumelian Defense Law Association

                                                                      On behalf of the Board of Representatives

                                                                    M U S T A F A   K E M A L

                                  Anadolu Agency Founded

                                           (8.4.1920)

                                                                      To Sivas Women's Association

                                                                     Circular telegram sent

           Ankara: Undated. Location: Yozgat: 9

          To Sivas Women's Association

          It is important to consider that it is a mandatory requirement for Muslim people to be enlightened with the most correct internal and external news during the national and holy war of all Rumelia and Anatolia as a result of the enemy occupation of the Ottoman Sultanate center, which was the heart of Islam, and the confrontation of the whole country and our nation with the greatest danger. As a result, an institution named (Anadolu Agency) was established under the management of a special board consisting of the most authorized persons. Since the news and information to be given by Anadolu Agency with the fastest means will actually be the result of the documented and original resources of our Board of Representatives, these agency notifications should be posted there and especially in the streets and places to be selected by our Defense Law Organization, their distribution, and furthermore, they should be delivered to sub-districts and villages. on the way, It is kindly requested that urgent arrangements be made so that it can be published as much as possible and information about the result is given. 8.4.36 (20)

                                                                              On behalf of the Board of Representatives

                                                                                  MUSTAFA KEMAL

When the circular of Mustafa Kemal Pasha is read carefully, it is seen that not only "new news" but "the most accurate news" is emphasized. The subject that Mustafa Kemal Pasha underlined when he said "the news that Anadolu Agency will give with the fastest means" is one of the universal principles that news agencies must follow: These are the "accurate", "exact" and "objective" news of news agencies, "quickly". is an obligation to transmit. And in time; It will be seen that Anadolu Agency has never left these principles in its establishment.

Anadolu Agency Begins Its Works

Anadolu Agency, whose establishment was announced throughout the country, is the headquarters of Mustafa Kemal Pasha, whom Halide Edip also mentioned for a while; he carried out his studies in a room reserved at the Ziraat Mektebi, now the General Directorate of State Meteorology Affairs5. While describing the early work of the Agency, Yunus Nadi, after mentioning that he tried to give "a new spirit and shape" to the Hakimiyeti Milliye, describes what was done in the first days of the Agency6:

“At the same time, we started to do the services of Anadolu Agency with Ms. Halide Edip. That year, Ankara's forty-afternoon rains rained abundantly and sometimes it almost gave a winter view. We formed a center for the agency as a chamber in the Agricultural School, which was the headquarters of the Pasha. I go there every day and we work with Ms. Halide. In this business, Ali Rıza Bey, the Istanbul deputy, joined us soon.”

Agency's First Days

Halide Edip also tells that on the fifth day of her arrival in Ankara, “one of the narrow and long rooms” was reserved for her in the “Headquarters”. The furnishings of this place consist of “file shelves, a chair, two tables and an old typewriter”. In this room, which can be considered the first office of Anadolu Agency, Halide Edip translates the political parts of the English newspapers she mentioned earlier, cuts out the necessary parts for Anadolu Agency or Hakimiyeti Milliye newspaper among the telegrams brought by Hayati Bey, the clerk of Mustafa Kemal Pasha. He was preparing articles on other communications of . Halide Edip was assisted by a young Afghan named Abdurrahman, who came from Afghanistan, who could use a typewriter with one finger, but with success7.

After the Agricultural School, the agency carried out its work in the basement of the Teachers' School in Ulus8 and moved to a two-storey building in Samanpazarı, where its fate is unknown*.

First News

AA's domestic and international news were announced to the public under the title of "Anatolian Agency Notification" as of April 12, 1920, by writing with a typewriter that Mustafa Kemal promised Halide Edip to obtain from the Ottoman Bank. The first paragraph of the broadcast dated April 12, 1920, "A Call to the Anatolian People", in which Anadolu Agency announced the start of its duty and included the first news, was as follows9:

                    “Anadolu Agency April 12, 1920

          Anadolu Agency, which was established to ensure that our religious and homeland brothers and sisters can receive the most accurate news and information, is starting its duty as of today, when Anatolia and Rumelia took action valiantly with the determination and determination of the Defense of the Law after our State Center was occupied by the enemy. There is no room for presenting or explaining that the news and information received today should be read and known by as many people as possible there. For this purpose, we request all of you, from the love of the country and nation, and your help, to form private organizations even there, to write the information we will give every day on black plates at the doors of the telegraph office, to print, publish and distribute it where sufficient means are available, and to send it to the sub-districts and even to the villages. After this start,

Mustafa Kemal's Correspondence Regarding AA

Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who pioneered the founding of AA, was also closely interested in the Anadolu Agency's nationwide effectiveness and functioning. He sent telegrams to various centers with warnings on this matter; In one of these telegrams, Mustafa Kemal also drew attention to the fact that faults that may arise in the transmission of Anadolu Agency's news could constitute a "crime against the homeland". The letter sent by the young people of Inebolu to Mustafa Kemal Pasha on April 4, 1920 in order to learn about the news about the National Struggle is also an indicator of how important the Anadolu Agency is. In his reply on April 20, Mustafa Kemal announced that the news that Anatolia needed was now provided by Anadolu Agency and asked the youth to spread this news to the villages.

Success in the First News

It is stated that Anadolu Agency's first duty is to inform the public about political events, which, despite its limited resources, has produced insignificantly successful works in a short time; because fake news is spreading among the people10. These works of Anadolu Agency, which prevented this with its first publications, until the meeting of the Grand National Assembly and the formation of the first Council of Ministers; It focuses on the following two points of great importance for those days:

“To keep the nation vigilant against the provocations and temptations that are being made internally and externally in order to endanger the national unity by leading the Turkish public opinion to wrong paths. Informing the people on time about the decisions and actions that will ensure national liberation.” 11th

First Legislation Regarding AA

The first legal regulation regarding Anadolu Agency was made with the “Law on the Organization of the General Directorate of Press and Intelligence, Publication Directorate”, which was enacted on June 7, 1920, two months after its establishment. In the 4th article of this 4 article law; ''Agency manager'' was shown in the staff list envisaged for this general directorate, which would later turn into the General Directorate of Press and Information. Etem Hidayet (AKIMSAR) became the first Agency Manager with the title of "Anatolian Agency and Press Branch Manager", after the "Agency Directorate" was included in the "General Directorate of Press and Intelligence" staff. In the law dated 25 December 1920, the General Directorate of Press (Intelligence phrase is removed) was subordinated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

AA in the War of Independence

Anadolu Agency, on which Mustafa Kemal focused meticulously on its establishment and work, did not leave his efforts unrequited and under the conditions of that day, as much as it could; From that day on, he tried to convey his news everywhere. The news of AA was secretly sent to many centers. The Second President of Turkey, İsmet İnönü, in an interview with him for the “Special Bulletin” prepared for the 50th anniversary of Anadolu Agency, said, “We also have an agency. We were very assertive so that we could inform the world” and stated that the news of AA was sent secretly to Istanbul.

Anadolu Agency bulletins, which were delivered to Istanbul from Izmit and Zonguldak, where the contact with Anatolia was established, with great difficulty and secrecy at the cost of being caught by the occupation forces, were reproduced with a pedal duplicator (chapyrograph) in the basement of a bookstore in Babıali. When the machine was insufficient, copy paper was placed under the bulletin and handwritten copies were sent to the telegraph office. AA, which was supported by Hamdullah Suphi after Yunus Nadi and Halide Edip and tried to run its business with about ten personnel, could only spread its first news via telegraph. Bulletins were sent to various centers by mounted officials and hung on blackboards.

Anadolu Agency gives news from the front; He was announcing the achievements of the War of Independence. In the 9 August 1921 issue of the İkdam newspaper, it was reported that Mustafa Kemal Pasha had been appointed as the “Commander-in-Chief” in the news published on 5 and 6 August 1921, used by the Anadolu Agency. In the headline of the Sovereignty Milliye dated August 27, 1922, it was said, "Our Heroic Armies on All Fronts Started Fighting with the Mortal Enemy Since Yesterday Morning". While the Turkish Armies were on the way to Izmir; The headline of the Domination Milliye dated September 6, 1922, with old letters (II) AA, read: “The Greeks Are Demanding an Armistice”. The day after the Turkish armies entered İzmir, Governor Süleyman Necmi Bey was announcing the victory to the public by reading the news of Anadolu Agency in Kastamonu.

AA fulfilled a very difficult task in the War of Independence. It was necessary to inform a people who were fighting inside and who were unaware of the outside world, about the events of the country and the world, and to struggle with the submissive attitudes of some foreign and Istanbul newspapers. It was necessary to defend the national struggle abroad, to inform the public about Turkey's rightful demands, and to nullify the games played by some circles against it.

For this purpose, in Istanbul, Zonguldak, Inebolu, Antalya and Izmit; liaison offices were opened abroad in London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Geneva and New York. Bulletins are published at various times of the day; These were immediately sent to various centers by telegraph. Books and brochures were issued to explain the War of Independence.

Turkey's Third President Celal Bayar, remembering those years, told that they decided to establish Anadolu Agency as the “Voice of Anatolia and the Revolution”12:

“We decided to establish Anadolu Agency as the voice of Anatolia and the revolution. (...) At that time, Anadolu Agency provided one of the greatest needs of the revolution. Both us; He externally reflected the purpose and purpose of the revolution, the views of Anatolia, and also performed a two-headed important duty by informing us about what kind of treatment is taking place about us abroad.”

Republic Years

Anadolu Agency, which successfully reflected the Lausanne peace talks, was almost the voice of Atatürk, who carried out these in the proclamation of the Republic and in every revolution step by step.

After the proclamation of the Republic, on March 3, 1924, the Caliphate was abolished and the Law of Tevhidi Tedrisat (unification of education) was accepted. On April 20, 1924, the Republic of Turkey got its new Constitution. All these steps towards a modern state were followed by the news of Anadolu Agency.

AA correspondents were always by his side during Atatürk's country tours to explain his revolutions to the public. President Mustafa Kemal's famous words, always guiding, uttered at the tea party held in his honor by the Teachers' Union on September 22, 1924, at Samsun Istiklal Trade School, were included in the Anadolu Agency bulletin:

“The truest guide for everything in the world, for civilization, for life, for success, is science. Seeking a guide outside of science and science is ignorance, ignorance, and deviating from the right path.”

“My Gentle Body…”

The discovery of the Izmir assassination targeting President Mustafa Kemal on 17 June 1926 was announced to the public by Anadolu Agency with an official statement. This trip of Mustafa Kemal to Izmir in 1926 is followed by the Chief Editor of Anadolu Agency, Kemalettin Kamu. In his statement to Anadolu Agency on the Izmir Assassination attempt on June 19, 1926, Atatürk said his historic promise:  “My humble body will surely be soil one day. But the Republic of Turkey will stand firm forever.”

Anadolu Agency Incorporates

Anadolu Agency underwent a structural change in 1925 and attained the status of a company. This development started when Atatürk commissioned a close group of friends from “qualified persons”13 to make Anadolu Agency a news agency in the Western sense.

The issue of transforming Anadolu Agency into a company came to the fore in the 1924 (1340) budget negotiations of the General Directorate of Press, held by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on March 22, 1924.

One year after these developments, on March 1, 1925, “Anadolu Agency Türk Anonim Şirketi” was established. Anadolu Agency gained an autonomous status with such a structuring, which was unprecedented even in Western countries at that time. The beginning and the first article of the "Anadolu Agency Türk Anonim Şirketi Regulations (Internal Regulation)", which consists of 45 articles, are as follows:

ANADOLU AGENCY TURKISH JOINT STOCK COMPANY INTERNAL

FIRST PART

THE COMPANY'S ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE, NAME AND HEADQUARTERS ARE IN THE STATEMENT.

          First item: It will be obtained by wire and wireless telegraphy and telephone in various forms and by means from all over the world; news on political, military, financial, commercial, economic, industrial, agricultural, (social)* and generally international events; In Turkey and other countries, in order to publish and notify in various means and ways, and for this purpose, to publish one or more bulletins and services and correspondence a day according to local needs, to make an announcement, to be the publisher and publisher, with the signatures below; Sitting in Ankara, the supreme members of the Grand National Assembly Kars Deputy Ağaoğlu Ahmet (AĞAOĞLU), Siirt Deputy Mahmut (SOYDAN), Mardin Deputy Yakup Kadri (KARAOSMANOĞLU), Karahisar Deputy Ruşen Eşref (ÜNAYDIN), Bolu Deputy Fatih Rıfkı (ATAY), with gentlemen,

Distribution of Shares

The capital of the company, which is determined as 20.000 Turkish Liras, is divided into two thousand shares, each worth ten Turkish Liras, and half of the shares are distributed to the employees of the Agency.

Accordingly, the distribution of shares in the establishment of AA is as follows:

Tevfik Rüştü (ARAS) Minister of Foreign Affairs 1.000

Ahmet (AĞAOĞLU) Deputy of Kars 75

Mahmut (SOYDAN) Siirt Deputy 75

Yakup Kadri (KARAOSMANOĞLU) Deputy of Mardin 75

Falih Rıfkı (ATAY) Bolu Deputy 75

Ruşen Eşref (ÜNAYDIN) Member of Parliament for Karahisar 75

Tevfik Kamil (KOPERLER) Istanbul Deputy 25

Wisdom (BAYUR) Ambassador to Belgrade 25

                                                    Total: 1,425

Alaeddin Bey, General Manager of AA 75

Etem Hidayet (AKIMSAR) AA Istanbul Representative 75

Kemallettin (Public) Registrar 50

Cemil Zühtü AA Accounting Manager 50

325 distributed to 32 personnel working in AA

                                                    Total: 2,000

Status of Shares

“Anadolu Agency Türk Anonim Şirketi, which was established with a capital of 20 thousand liras, has 44 shareholders. 41 of the shareholders were people who actually worked at the Agency and constituted the Agency's staff at that time. The three shareholders from outside the Agency are Istanbul Deputy Tevfik Kamil Koperler, Belgrade Ambassador Yusuf Hikmet Bayur, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and İzmir Deputy Tevfik Rüştü Aras, who led the establishment of the company, who bought half of the number of shares, but did not take office in the Agency. Half of the 2000 shares, each worth 10 lira, were divided among the other shareholders. Tevfik Rüştü Aras transferred all his shares to the Ministry of Finance with the decision of the Board of Directors dated 9 August 1951. Upon the death of one of the founders, İskender Ferit, even the heir, 5 shares worth 50 TL were transferred to the Ministry of Finance with the decision of the Board of Directors dated 9 August 1951, With the same decision, 50 of the shares transferred to the Ministry of Finance were transferred to Hulusi Timur in order to keep the state share in the Agency below 50 percent. Thus, 955 of the 2000 shares remained in the Treasury, and the other shares remained in private individuals.

Today, AA continues its activities as a Joint Stock Company with 52.25 percent of its shares held by individuals and 47.75 percent in the Treasury. Most of the private shares do not exist due to deaths.

In 1927, 1950, 1952, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1986, some articles of Anadolu Agency Türk Anonim Şirketi Nizamname-i Internaliyesi dated March 1, 1925 were amended. The Articles of Association regulating the current status of Anadolu Agency were accepted at the Extraordinary General Assembly held on 8 August 1986 and published in the Trade Registry Gazette dated 11 September 1986 and numbered 1564.

With the Law No. 7 dated July 1, 1960, Anadolu Agency TAŞ was exempted from the provisions of Article 272 of the Turkish Commercial Code, which states that the capital amount cannot be less than five hundred thousand TL, with the adjustment provisions of joint stock companies. In accordance with this Law, the capital of 20 thousand liras stated in the establishment of Anadolu Agency TAŞ continues to be valid. Since the consent of all the shareholders cannot be obtained due to the shares that cannot be presented, it is not possible to increase the capital.”14

Continuous Improvement

Since the day it was founded, Anadolu Agency has always tried to renew itself in order to broadcast in the best way possible.

According to the booklet published on the 10th anniversary of AA's becoming a company, representative offices were established in the USA and in the main European centers such as London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna and Geneva during the General Directorate of Press. According to this booklet, which evaluates the establishment of AA, its first period and the period between 1925 and 1935, when the company was established, a limited number of bulletins were published, and there were correspondents in a limited number of places such as Istanbul Representative Office and İzmir and Adana. In 1935, a directorate was established in Istanbul and a representative office was established in Izmir. Both centers were working with technical equipment and large staff in accordance with the needs and necessities of the region. In 1935, AA was publishing daily Turkish and French political and general bulletins, as well as financial and sports bulletins.

Further; The Agency was organized as “Internal Intelligence” and “Overseas Intelligence” in order to “collect domestic news and give it abroad and disseminate foreign news within the country”.

When it became a company, AA, which started to work in 1925 with a small wireless telegraph handset, equipped its Ankara and Istanbul headquarters with the latest system of wire telegraph devices; A radio handset was set up at the İzmir representative office for daily stock market news.

Tikers, which incomparably increased the exchange of news between Ankara and Istanbul, which can be done in a limited amount as far as telegraph lines can handle, (the advanced machines of those days that provided mutual communication between the two centers connected by telegraph line and the preparation of the bulletins, by writing and printing the news at the same time) ” machines were achieved.

AA, in the period 1925-1935; It provides broadcasts with General Political Service, Financial Service, Sports Service, Balkan Service, Postal Service, Special Service, Province and Radio Services.

25th YEAR: Anadolu Agency's “25. In the publication titled "Year 1920-1945", it is seen that the organization was again in the form of "Domestic Intelligence and Foreign Intelligence" organizations. However, it is obvious that the Foreign Intelligence Agency gained more importance due to the Second World War. In addition to its Geneva, Berlin and Cairo correspondents, AA sent correspondents to Pest, Bucharest and Sofia since 1943, and established new correspondents in London, Algeria, Paris and Athens.

More than 100 employees work at the Agency, which is on duty day and night. Apart from the ones AA receives via cable, the news it receives directly over the radio reaches 60 thousand words.

The services of AA in 1945 were Political Service, Printing Service, Printing (Dictation) Service, Financial Service, Economic Service, and Economic Research Service. The "Post Service", which was newly established in 1935, was suspended due to the Second World War; but it is announced that it will be activated again. Another new service is Photo and Cinema services. The Balkan Service in 1935 is not published "for now". The Special Investigation Service is published from time to time.

50th YEAR: “50th Anniversary” published on April 6, 1970. In the "Year Special Bulletin", the progress of AA is visible15.

AA, which is in contact with the world 24 hours a day, has branches in Istanbul, Izmir and Adana apart from its headquarters in Ankara. Branches are connected to the center via telex lines. “Domestic and foreign news, parliamentary news and economic issues” are delivered up to the minute to all newspapers, public and private institutions and TRT through Ankara headquarters and branches. Apart from the headquarters and branches, AA has nearly 600 correspondents in the country.

AA publishes 190 thousand words daily, including the Internal News bulletin, the Foreign News Bulletin, the Istanbul News Bulletin, the Parliament News Bulletin and a foreign language bulletin. In addition, news of 4 thousand words is broadcast daily through the transmitter station to foreign countries.

AA has expanded its information resources worldwide by making contracts with the world's leading agencies. AA's AFP (France), Reuter (England), DPA (Federal Germany), AP (United States), TASS (Soviet Union), ANSA (Italy), PAP (Poland), Tanjug (Yugoslavia), Agerpress (Romania) It has agreements with Pars (Iran), Mena-Middle East news agency (United Arab Republic) and Pakistan news agencies. AA is in contact with these organizations via a 24-hour radio-teletype system.

Meanwhile, AA also exchanges news with national agencies of various countries through radio-teletype and other means. AA also has special correspondents in major capitals.

A while ago (from 6 April 1970), AA established a transmitting station in Gölbaşı, 29 kilometers from Ankara. Thanks to this station, countries on the line "from Indonesia to England" can hear the voice of Turkey.

Anadolu Agency, which activates the Photography Service, delivers the photos of the events as well as the news to its subscribers in the fastest manner. If the channel called "f-4" is used at the Gölbaşı transmitter station, which has radio photo capability, it is also possible to send photos to the country and abroad.

Looking Forward

Anadolu Agency maintains the principle of accurate, fast and impartial reporting with the same enthusiasm as the first day, while closely monitoring technological developments. Anadolu Agency, which has the distinction of being the "first national institution" of the young Turkish State since it started its work before the Grand National Assembly was opened, by shouldering the national liberation struggle in an occupied country, started its broadcast with a simple "shapiograph" machine today, with the same enthusiasm, with the most advanced computer technology. continues.

Anadolu Agency, which started using telex in the 1940s and gradually expanded its news network in the 1960s and 1970s, adapted to the technology of the computer age on September 7, 1986. The computer news network of AA, which covers all the country and foreign representations, provides services with the technology of the 2000s.

Considering the great developments in journalism in recent years, Anadolu Agency moved from its building on Sıhhiye Hanımeli Sokak, where it had been serving for more than 30 years, to its new service building in Tandoğan in February 1998. In the new building of AA, an Art Gallery was established with a professional approach at the entrance of the Conference Hall.

Anadolu Agency has correspondents in 28 regional and bureau directorates in Turkey and in 30 centers abroad, 22 of which are representative offices. AA delivers an average of 700 news per day to its subscribers, produced by these reporters across the country and the world.

Anadolu Agency also activated the VBI system called “data publishing” in 1999. Thanks to this system, Anadolu Agency has not only reached every point in Turkey, but has also extended to a wide geography from Europe to the Turkish republics, the Middle East and North Africa.

Anadolu Agency started to provide services to GSM companies and internet organizations, taking into account the developing communication technology as well as the written and visual media.

Anadolu Agency is one of the four big agencies that apply the most advanced technology in the field of photography services today. With its computer system and satellite line, it delivers more than 150 quality photographs to its subscribers at a rapid pace.

Anadolu Agency published its first prestige book, Atatürk and Anadolu Agency, on 6 April 2002. This publication was followed by the Reporter's Handbook on October 1, 2003, and the 80th Anniversary Chronology of the Republic of Turkey (March 2004), which was prepared for the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic.

International Cooperation

Anadolu Agency cooperates with national news agencies of nearly 100 countries as well as international agencies such as AP (USA), Reuters (England), AFP (France), DPA (Germany), EFE (Spain), ANSA (Italy), XINHUA (People's Republic of China). Thousands of news flows to his agency every day from these sources. Anadolu Agency, which presents these news to the media, also conveys the developments in Turkey to these foreign agencies.

Anadolu Agency is also one of the members of the “European Agencies Association”. Anadolu Agency, which also pioneered the unification of the news agencies of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean under the umbrella of the "Mediterranean News Agencies Union", then cooperated with the news agencies of the young, brotherly Turkic Republics to convey the voice of Turkey to Central Asia and to monitor the developments in these countries in the West. He provided the establishment of the “Turkish-Speaking Countries News Agencies Union” in order to convey the information to the media.

AA, which is also the founder of the Balkan News Agencies Association, is a member of the Asia-Pacific News Agencies Association.

Anadolu Agency also hosted the "World News Agencies Summit", which was convened for the first time. Convened in Istanbul on April 15-17, 2003; In the "Concluding Statement" of the summit attended by 113 delegates from 58 news agencies, it was requested that "all legal, technical and psychological barriers that prevent news agencies from providing accurate, unbiased and uninterpreted news flow be removed".

Anadolu Agency, with the understanding of honest and fast reporting, launched the “News Journey under Fire” on April 6, 1920, in order to explain and convey the realities of the National Struggle both to the Anatolian people and to the whole world; The Republic of Turkey will continue as long as it exists.*

1 NADİ, (ABALIOĞLU), Yunus: The First Days of Ankara, Sel Publications, The Fourth Book, April 10, 1955, Istanbul, p: 77

2 NADİ, (ABALIOĞLU), Yunus: The First Days of Ankara, pp: 93-94

3 EDİP, (ADIVAR), Halide: Türkün Ateşle İktihanı II (Memories of the War of Independence), Cumhuriyet Newspaper Y., Istanbul, September 1998, p: 13.

4 FROM Gazi Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK TO US, Speeches, Speeches, Interviews, Memoirs, Circulars, Correspondence. (1903-1938), Vol: I (1903-22/4/1920), translated into Turkish by M. Sunullah Arısoy, Hürriyet Foundation Publications, July 1987, Istanbul. Q: 548.

5 ÖNDER, Mehmet: Atatürk Houses-Atatürk Museums, p: 79.

6 NADİ, (ABALIOĞLU), Yunus: The First Days of Ankara, p: 101.

7 EDIP, (ADIVAR), Halide: The Turk's Test with Fire II, p: 17.

8 ŞAPOLYO, Enver Behnan: The History of Turkish Journalism and the Press with All Its Aspects, Güven Printing House, Ankara 1969, p: 291.

9 “April 1920 Establishment of Anadolu Agency and Struggle Against Enemy Propaganda, Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk)”, Journal of Turkish History with Documents (Yesterday / Today / Tomorrow, Monthly Journal), Issue: 20, October 1986, p: 4. Kazım Karabekir: İstiklal Harbimiz, Türkiye Publishing House (01448), Istanbul 1959-1960, p: 619. KOLOĞLU Orhan: From Havas – Reuter to Anadolu Agency, Contemporary Journalists Association Publications No: 13, First Edition, Ankara December 1994, pp:48-49 .

10 KALEMCI, Ali: “How was Anadolu Agency Established?”, Book Belleten, Year: 1, Issue: 2, December 1960, p: 25.

11 ÇINGAY, İbrahim: Anadolu Agency 50th Anniversary Special Bulletin, 6 April 1970, (Anadolu Agency 25th Year 1920-1945, p: 6.)

12 SEÇKİN Nalan: Anadolu Agency 50th Anniversary Special Bulletin, 6 April 1970.

13 BENGI, Dr. Hilmi: “News Agency in Turkey”, Yeni Türkiye Magazine, Cumhuriyet Special Issue September-December 1998, c: I, pp: 2807-2816.

14 BENGI, Dr. Hilmi: “News Agency in Turkey”, (Anadolu Agency TAŞ Share Records)

15 ÇINGAY, İbrahim: “50. Year Special Bulletin.”, p:2-3

* TEKELİ, Safa: Atatürk and Anadolu Agency, Anadolu Agency Publications - 1, First Edition, Istanbul - April 2002

Source:  http://www.aa.com.tr/

II

Some Documents Regarding the Establishment and Activities of the "Anadolu Agency" in the National Struggle

Undoubtedly, the Turkish press and Anadolu Agency played an important role in the victory of the National War of Independence and the gathering of the Turkish public around this idea at that time. Mustafa Kemal understood the importance of the press at the beginning of the National War of Independence and made attempts to publish a newspaper for this purpose.

Since the newspapers published in Istanbul at the beginning of the National War of Independence were under the pressure of the Sultan and the Government, they could not write articles in favor of national independence, especially in the way of establishing an administration other than the administration of the Sultan; because there was heavy censorship and extraordinary pressure against the press to prevent such articles from being written. For this reason, many columns of the Istanbul newspapers were published without leaving any blank.

It was impossible for the Istanbul newspapers to support the National War of Independence, as the formation of a kuva-yi milliye outside the Sultan's force and national initiatives did not comply with the policies of the Sultan and the Istanbul Government. However, upon the successful continuation of the War of Independence, some newspapers in Istanbul began to write articles in favor of the National War of Independence. In Anatolian cities far from Istanbul, a significant part of the local press supported the National Struggle. There are many documents showing that these newspapers provide foreign news, especially from coastal cities such as Antalya and Zonguldak, where Italians are dominant.

Mustafa Kemal came up with the idea of ​​publishing a newspaper on September 11, 1919, just as the Sivas Congress was ending, in order to explain the principles of the National War of Independence, the work to be done in this regard, and the state of the country to the public. After some attempts, the newspaper called “İrade-i Milliye”, whose responsible director was Selahaddin and named after Mustafa Kemal, started to be published in Sivas. one

It was not a coincidence that the name of this newspaper was “İrade-i Milliye”. This idea of ​​"national will" was mentioned by Mustafa Kemal before. In the 3rd article of the Amasya Circular of 22 June 1919, he stated that "the nation's own determination and decision will save the independence of the nation", and in the 4th article, it was stated that a national committee should be established, free from all influence and control, in order to make the voice of the nation heard to the world and to find a solution to the situation. In the 2nd article of the Erzurum Congress Declaration, it was argued that it is essential to make the national will prevail in order to ensure the integrity of the homeland and the independence of the nation, and in the 8th article, it is necessary to establish a national assembly. He repeated the same issues in the 2nd and 6th articles of the Sivas Congress Declaration. Essentially, Mustafa Kemal Throughout the entire War of Independence and as long as he lived, he made great efforts to make the people adopt the principles of national will. İrade-i Milliye, published in Sivas on September 14, 1919, was written entirely under the direction of Mustafa Kemal. got out of control. 3 However, this newspaper supported the national movement throughout the War of Independence and ensured that the public sided with the War of Independence.

On the second day of Mustafa Kemal's arrival in Ankara, he again attempted to publish a newspaper. He named this newspaper himself. This name, like “Irade-i Milliye”, was a name that revealed the will of the people: “Hâkimiyet-i Milliye.” Hâkimiyet-i Milliye, the first issue of which was published on January 10, 1920, was written by Mustafa Kemal on behalf of the Anatolian and Rumelia Defense Committee Committee and is considered the semi-official organ of the Grand National Assembly Government, as it is the spokesperson of the National Liberation Movement. . It was later renamed Ulus. 4

In almost every issue of Hâkimiyet-i Milliye, there is a circular and declaration of Mustafa Kemal, as well as a few of them in some issues. The newspaper also includes quotations from the Anatolian press, which supported the National Struggle. 5

Mustafa Kemal also stopped at length about which newspaper should be distributed to the public and which should not be distributed. He gave directives on various dates to prevent harmful publications and newspapers that would hurt the spirit of the people from being brought into Anatolia.

Mustafa Kemal was making great efforts to prevent harmful newspapers from entering the regions of the National Struggle and was publishing declarations and circulars that prohibited them from entering these regions. According to Mustafa Kemal, in this period when the homeland is struggling to survive, serious measures should be taken against some of the Istanbul press, which are in the hands and under the command of the enemy. In the telegram he sent to Bursa 56th Division Command on April 12, 1919, Mustafa Kemal demanded that among the newspapers sent to the newspaper sellers and distributors of the Istanbul press by additional mail, those sent to Bursa should be controlled and the harmful ones not to be brought into Bursa: 6

Password telegram. 12.4.36

Bursa 36th Division Command,

It is authorized to supply the semen and discharges of those who come to Bursa by mail or by hand for the patrons and dealers of the Istanbul press, with a military control facility.

                                                                                      On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                            Mustafa Kemal

This reveals how meticulous Mustafa Kemal was about harmful broadcasting. Mustafa Kemal is undoubtedly right in this thought. Because, in this period when the National Struggle became widespread and made great progress, keeping the people morally superior is an important factor in winning the National Struggle. Therefore, Mustafa Kemal makes a great effort to prevent harmful publications from reaching the public. Mustafa Kemal, who learned that Samsun Greeks read Greek newspapers, specifically stated that this would not be allowed in a telegram he sent to Samsun Governor's Office on April 20, 1920. For this reason, he requested that very serious and definite measures be taken against the Istanbul press, which may come to Samsun by mail or other means: 7

Password telegram. 20.4.36

Samsun Governorship,

In the current life and death of the homeland, a very serious control exercise against the capital press, which is in the hands and under the command of the enemy in Istanbul, is essential. It is said that the Greeks of Samsun bought and read the Greek newspapers. In particular, this can never be tolerated. Therefore, we declare again, sir, that very serious and definite measures should be taken against the Istanbul press that may come by mail or by the sûver-i şâire.

                                                                                     On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                            Mustafa Kemal

It was not enough to publish a newspaper to support the National Liberation War. It was obligatory to provide the news and equipment required by these newspapers. “Anadolu Agency” in Ankara, with the work of Halide Edip (Adıvar) Hanım and Yunus Nadi Bey, in order to announce the cause of the National Struggle to the country and to the world, to give accurate and regular information to the Anatolian people about the National War, and to announce and promote the Turkish nation's freedom war to the world public opinion. Efforts were made to establish an institution called

In the Ottoman Empire, there was an "Ottoman Telegraph Agency" before. Until the establishment of this agency, news sources consisted of foreign agencies. Established in 1911, the Telegraph Agency was commercial rather than national. The Telegraph Agency, which later turned into the "Ottoman National Agency", withdrew from the stage of history at the end of the First World War. In October 1918, we see the "Turkey Havas-Reuter" combination. The relationship of this agency with Turkey was nothing but a similar name. 8

Anadolu Agency, which was established during the War of Independence, was realized with the work of Yunus Nadi and Halide Edip (Adıvar). On March 31, 1920, when Yunus Nadi and Halide Edip met, they talked about the Anadolu Agency problem. When Halide Edip suggested to Yunus Nadi that an agency should be established and that the news would be conveyed to the domestic and foreign world in this way, Yunus Nadi said that this was the first condition. Halide Edip made suggestions about the name of the agency and mentioned the names of Turkish Agency, Ankara Agency, Anadolu Agency and said "more can be found". When Yunus Nadi stated that the best name could be Anadolu Agency, Halide Edip said, “First of all, it is Anatolia that will save itself and, if possible, the whole country. So let's make our decision: Anadolu Agency…” Yunus Nadi also accepted this. Thus, the initial idea of ​​Anadolu Agency was born in Akhisar Township Station of Geyve District. 9 When they arrived in Ankara, 10 on April 4-5, 1920, Yunus Nadi and Halide Edip presented the idea of ​​agency to Mustafa Kemal. Halide Edip explained that neither the outside world nor the inner world could understand the meaning of the national movement, that the necessary news on these issues could not reach everywhere, that they talked to Yunus Nadi on the way to establish an Anadolu Agency, and that these agency news were posted in places that have a telegraph office and in mosques where they do not. suggested. He also suggested that the most important English and French newspapers (Mancherter Guardian, Times etc.) be brought in time to understand what the world was thinking. Yunus Nadi and Halide Edip introduced the idea of ​​agency to Mustafa Kemal. Halide Edip explained that neither the outside world nor the inner world could understand the meaning of the national movement, that the necessary news on these issues could not reach everywhere, that they talked to Yunus Nadi on the way to establish an Anadolu Agency, and that these agency news were posted in places that have a telegraph office and in mosques where they do not. suggested. He also suggested that the most important English and French newspapers (Mancherter Guardian, Times etc.) be brought in time to understand what the world was thinking. Yunus Nadi and Halide Edip introduced the idea of ​​agency to Mustafa Kemal. Halide Edip explained that neither the outside world nor the inner world could understand the meaning of the national movement, that the necessary news on these issues could not reach everywhere, that they talked to Yunus Nadi on the way to establish an Anadolu Agency, and that these agency news were posted in places that have a telegraph office and in mosques where they do not. suggested. He also suggested that the most important English and French newspapers (Mancherter Guardian, Times etc.) be brought in time to understand what the world was thinking. He suggested that it be placed as an advertisement in every place with a telegraph office and in mosques in places that do not. He also suggested that the most important English and French newspapers (Mancherter Guardian, Times etc.) be brought in time to understand what the world was thinking. He suggested that it be placed as an advertisement in every place with a telegraph office and in mosques in places that do not. He also suggested that the most important English and French newspapers (Mancherter Guardian, Times etc.) be brought in time to understand what the world was thinking.

As can be seen, various opinions have been put forward about the name of the agency to be established, but names other than Anadolu Agency have not been adopted. 12 While the subject of Anadolu Agency was being discussed next to Mustafa Kemal, there were also Adnan and Cami Beys besides Yunus Nadi and Halide Edip. Mustafa Kemal Pasha found this idea very good. However, he wanted to see the shape of the news and writings to be sent to the country by telegraph in the first days and said, “In the first days, it may be necessary to make some corrections in these writings in terms of ideas and style-ı tahrir. However, after three or five days, since you will already have grasped the policy followed, the business will go on its own without the need for it anymore," he said.

As a result of these conversations, the following decisions were made about the agency: On the first day, Mustafa Kemal Pasha would introduce the Anadolu Agency to the whole country and explain the purpose of the Agency's establishment. Mustafa Kemal Pasha, regarding the agency, said, “He will inform every part of the country of the current situation in this difficult time. You will spread this agency notification in such and such forms, if possible and as far as possible, to the most remote corner of the country.” Yunus Nadi and Halide Edip would also collect official or unofficial local and foreign news that would be useful for those days and send them to the telegraph office to serve at least twice a day. The work program was arranged in this way. 13 After these decisions, Anadolu Agency was established on April 6, 1920, with the declaration of Mustafa Kemal Pasha.14

Mustafa Kemal Pasha, in another circular sent to the Sivas Women's Association on April 8, 1920, to the corps, provinces, sanjaks, and Defense of the Law administrations on the same date, stated that during the National War of Independence, which all Anatolia and Rumelia entered, He stated that Anadolu Agency was established under the management of authorized persons for the purpose of reaching the news to the public and enlightening the public, and that the news that this institution would give quickly would be the credible and real sources of the Representative Committee, and that the news of this agency would be printed, reproduced and distributed, and sent to the villages and sub-districts. 16

Anadolu Agency provided the connection between the government and the people by warning the nation against internal and external publications that would lead the Turkish public to wrong paths and endanger the national unity, and by communicating the decisions and movements that would ensure national liberation, and the decisions of the Grand National Assembly.

After Anadolu Agency was established, it started its activities immediately. As of April 13, 1920, domestic and international news began to be published under the title of "Anadolu Agency Notification". 17

Mustafa Kemal wanted to learn the news about Istanbul and the foreign press through Bursa, and for the information about the National War of Independence and the documents of the Representative Committee to reach Istanbul via Bursa. Because Bursa was not only closer to Istanbul than other places, but was also seen as a safer and more reliable place. In addition, the fact that Bekir Sami Bey was the Division Commander there was also very important for the national forces. In this respect, Mustafa Kemal, in a telegram he sent to the 56th Division Commander in Bursa on April 12, 1920, requested that reliable information to be obtained about the situation in Istanbul be continuously reported to the Anadolu Agency as a basis:18.

 

56th Division Command in Bursa,

12.4.36

The information that can be obtained about the situation and situation in Istanbul is regularly submitted to the Anadolu Agency as a basis.

                                                                                     On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                           Mustafa Kemal

He also asked if it was possible to send one of each of the newspapers belonging to the Istanbul and foreign press, which could be seized in Bursa, to Ankara, and also whether it was possible to send the documents to be sent by the Representative Committee to Istanbul via Bursa in a way that would not fall into the hands of those who were against them: 19

12.4.36

56th Division Command in Bursa,

Sending a copy of each Istanbul and foreign press that can be seized there to our delegation. Also, is it possible to send and distribute the documents to be sent by the Representative Committee to Istanbul with the order of Bursa, in a way that will not be seized under any circumstances? Job is official.

                                                                                     On behalf of the Heyel-i Temsiliye

                                                                                           Mustafa Kemal

Mustafa Kemal wanted the foreign press to be learned by Ankara. In this respect, he was thinking of establishing a relationship with the Italian Agency in Afyonkarahisar. In this regard, in the telegram he sent to Miralay Refet (Bele) Bey in Afyonkarahisar on April 14, 1920, he requested that the Italian Agency be sent to Ankara permanently: 20

Telegram. 14.4.36

To Mr. Miralay Refet in Afyonkarahisar,

We assume that it is possible to send the notification to the external news department with the notification of the Italian Agency in your district.

                                                                                     On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                            Mustafa Kemal

On May 6, 1920, all kinds of official communication with Istanbul was prohibited by the Decree of the Executive Board, and it was foreseen that official articles, newspapers and magazines from Istanbul should be sent back immediately. With a 19-item regulation, the duties of the officers and censorship inspectors related to the censorship centers in the interior of Anatolia and the coastal regions were also determined.

After Anadolu Agency was established on April 6, 1920, Yunus Nadi, who was assigned to manage the affairs of the Agency, immediately started working to ensure the organization of this institution in Anatolia and its relations with the outside world. Yunus Nadi felt the need to have a center in Antalya and Rhodes in order to establish relations with Europe and to deliver the news about the National War of Independence to the outside world quickly. In order to realize this aim, he sent a telegram to Miralay Refet Bey in Afyonkarahisar on April 12, 1920, stating that he established a center in Antalya, that there were useful Turks in Rhodes and that he knew, that the communication cable of Rhodes was last in Marmaris. to find out if it is possible for him to come to terms with the officials in Rhodes,

Password 12.4.36

To Mr. Miralay Refet in Afyonkarahisar,

I consider it essential to have a center each in Antalya and Rhodes, in order to contact Europe, and in particular to convey news from us to the foreign world as often as possible. Could you prepare such a center for Antalya? As for Rhodes, there are Turks that I know well and will be of use to us. I think that the cable of Rhodes is connected to Marmaris. I wonder if it would be possible for me to reach an agreement with this person in Rhodes by telegram? In particular, one of them is respected and respected by the Italians.

                                                                                          Yunus Nadi

Even before Anadolu Agency was established in Ankara, there was an intense desire for news about the National War of Independence to reach Anatolia. Young people from Inebolu wrote a letter to Mustafa Kemal on April 4, 1919 in order to be able to learn the news in time. Mustafa Kemal Pasha, in his reply on April 20, 1920, requested that the news that Anatolia needed was now provided by Anadolu Agency, and that the youth should spread this news to the villages: 22

To the Youth Assembly in Inebolu,

Phone. 20.4.36 is the reply to your affidavit dated April 4th:

Anadolu Agency satisfies the information need of Anatolia. You receive the agency notification regularly and freely. Considering the importance of the task, which is appreciated by you, and it is appreciated by you, we kindly request that you support the publication and circularity of the notification in as wide an area as possible, even to the villages.

                                                                                       On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                              Mustafa Kemal

In this period of the National Liberation War, when Anatolia's relations with the outside world were cut off, it would be difficult for the public to understand the meaning and purpose of the National Liberation War if Anadolu Agency could not convey the necessary news to the nation. Moreover, it was learned that the news of Anadolu Agency could not reach some places. Mustafa Kemal Pasha did not allow any negligence or delay in this matter. It was seen as an important issue by Mustafa Kemal Pasha that the news of Anadolu Agency should be written to the necessary centers on a daily basis. However, it was also revealed that there were some obstacles in the Konya Post Office. Mustafa Kemal Pasha, in a telegram he sent to the Konya Post and Telegraph Directorate on April 18, 1920, in order to prevent these,

18.4.36

To Konya Post and Telegraph Directorate General,

Although it is a matter of utmost importance that Anadolu Agency news be written to the center, which is necessary on a daily basis, we have been informed that there has been some delay in this chapter in the curiosity within your administration. It is obligatory to provide the reasons for the repetition of the denial and to indicate the result and to inform the names of the officials who tolerated this issue.

                                                                                      On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                            Mustafa Kemal

Mustafa Kemal Pasha had great confidence in the post office officers, who were very helpful in the conduct of the National War of Independence and in the delivery of news to Anatolia and Rumelia. As a matter of fact, in the circular he sent to the Anadolu Telegraph Center on April 18, 1920, he learned that the Anadolu Agency could not reach some places, and he wanted all telegraphers to do the necessary service in order not to deprive the nation of news, to work in order not to leave the homeland unannounced, and not to neglect this issue: 24

I am full of Anadolu Telegraph Curiosity,

18.4.36

We receive complaints that Anadolu Agency cannot be transferred to some places. He deems no doubt that this service, which is undertaken with the aim of not keeping all the people of the nation without information, will be promoted and promoted by all of our telegraphers at this time when Anatolia is not related to the outside world. We declare that it can constitute a homeland.

                                                                                     On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                            Mustafa Kemal

Despite all these efforts, news was coming to Ankara from various places that Anadolu Agency news could not reach. It was learned that Anadolu Agency news could not reach Palu Defense-i Law Center in Diyarbakir on a regular basis. This confirms that the news of Anadolu Agency could not reach some places. Thereupon, Mustafa Kemal, in a telegram he sent to Diyarbakir Post and Telegraph Chief Directorate on April 21, 1920, ordered that Anadolu Agency news could not reach Palu, that the situation should be investigated and the result reported, and that the Anadolu Agency should be given to all centers regularly:

Tel.21.4.36

To Diyarbakir Fosta and Felgraj Chief Directorate,

It is complained that Palu Defense of Law Center could not get Anadolu Agency on a regular basis. From this it seems that the Agency was not given to many curiosities. It is obligatory to ensure that the results are determined by the investigation of the arbitrariness and that the agencies are regularly given to all the curiosity.

 

Palu Defense of Law,

c- It was notified to Diyarbekir Post and Telegraph Manager for the agency to be given regularly.

                                                                                        On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                               Mustafa Kemal

After the opening of the Grand National Assembly, the subject of the National Liberation War would accelerate and expand even more deliberately. Before the Grand National Assembly was opened, Mustafa Kemal Pasha had accelerated his work, which envisaged the dissemination of the news by spreading it everywhere. Mustafa Kemal wanted those in Istanbul to be aware of the struggle in Anatolia day by day. Therefore, in the telegrams he sent to the 64th Division Commander26 in Balıkesir,26 and also to the District Governor of Mudanya27 on April 21, 1920, the daily statements of the Anadolu Agency to inform the people of Istanbul about the events in Anatolia due to the extraordinary interest that Anatolia would gain after the opening of the Grand National Assembly, He asked Bandırma and Mudanya to be sent to Istanbul in a regular organization with reliable boatmen and ship captains:

Phone. password 21.4.36

To the 61st Division Commander in Balıkesir,

In order for the people of Istanbul, which will be of great importance to the Anatolian situation after the fall of the Grand National Assembly, not to remain ignorant of what will happen here, Anadolu Agency's notification journal will regularly arrive from Bandırma with sure boatmen and ferry captains, with a safe boatmen and ferry captains and a captain from Bandırma. It is dispatched to Istanbul within the scope of the organization. 

                                                                                    On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                            Mustafa Kemal

 

Phone. password 21.4.36

To the District Governor of Mudanya,

After the fall of the Grand National Assembly, the Anatolian situation will be tremendously important, and the dispatch of the Anatolian Agency's daily notice to Istanbul, within the scope of a regular organization with the regular boatmen and ferry captains, is from the hamiyyet-i muslihanes, sir.

                                                                                     On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                           Mustafa Kemal

Mustafa Kemal, who wanted the people of Istanbul to be fully aware of the works related to the National War of Independence, had thought of publishing the communiqués of Anadolu Agency in Bursa, considering the distance of Ankara from Istanbul in order to realize this. For this purpose, in a telegram he sent to the 14th Army Corps Commandership in Bursa on April 21, 1920, he announced that news that could be considered important for Istanbul in the communiqués of Anadolu Agency should be printed and reproduced in Bursa and sent to Istanbul in sufficient numbers: 28

Phone-password 21.4.36

To the Deputy of the 14th Corps Command in Bursa,

From the Anatolian Agency notification, the oraca tab and duplication of the information, which will be considered important for Istanbul, and its copy of the rhyme, are dispatched to the address known in Istanbul.

                                                                                    On behalf of the Representative Committee

                                                                                            Mustafa Kemal

It is seen that Mustafa Kemal wishes both Anatolia and Istanbul to benefit from the news of Anadolu Agency, so that the people understand the purpose and spirit of the National War of Independence and that they are on their side, and he makes great efforts in this way. This aim of Mustafa Kemal was realized with the better organization of Anadolu Agency and the establishment of branches in Anatolia and Europe after April 1920, thus the news of Anadolu Agency could be adequately conveyed to the country and abroad. However, these activities have been left out of our scope since we only mention the events of April 1920.

1 Fuat Sureyya Oral; Turkish Press History (1919-1965), c. II, Ankara, 1968, p. 40, Ozkaya, Yucel; Turkish War of Independence and History of the Republic, Ankara, 1968, p. 163, Cosar, Omer Sami; Press in the National Struggle, No Publication Date, Öztoprak, İzzet; Turkish Press in the War of Independence, (May 1919-July 1921), Ankara, 1981, p. 11th.

2 İrade-i Milliye (Sivas), 14 September 1919.

3 Fuat Sureyya Oral; Turkish Press History (1919-1965), c. II, Ank. ig68, p. 41.

4 İzzet Öztoprak; Turkish Press in the Turkish War of Independence, (May 1919-July 1921), Ankara 1981,5. 11-12.

5 Hâkimiyet-i Milliye, 13 April 1336 (1920), no. 21. “Sungurlu Against Danger”, Millet Road (Bursa), “Across Hadise-i Ma'lume”, towards İzmir (Balıkesir), Voice of Anatolia, Worker (Eskişehir), Work, Öğüt (Konya), Due to the Occupation of Istanbul, Perseverance and Emel (Eskişehir), Nation's Perseverance and Emeli, etc.

6 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Presidency Independence Archive, Folder 259. Cabinet 5, File 19, Index 76.

7 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Department, Independence Archive, Folder, 259, File 19, Index 89.

8 İzzet Öztoprak, Turkish Press in the War of Independence, (May 1919-July 1921) Ankara, 1981, p. 29-30.

9 Yunus Nadi, The First Days of Ankara, Istanbul, 1959, p. 77-78.

10 Yunus Nadi states that he cannot remember the day exactly, and the subject was discussed on April 4 or 5. Look. Yunus Nadi, The First Days of Ankara, İst. 1959, p. 93.

11 Halide Edip Adıvar, Türk's Test with Fire, Istanbul, 1983, p. 108.

12 İhsan Güneş, Intellectual Structure of the First Grand National Assembly of Turkey (1920-1923), PhD thesis. no. 269, p. 271. Published by Anadolu University.

13 Yunus Nadi, The First Days of Ankara, Istanbul, 1959, p. 93-94.

14 Hâkimiyet-i Milliye: 10 April 1336 (1920), issue 20. There is information about this in many books and encyclopedias, and in communiqués about the anniversaries of the Agency.

15 Nimet Arsan, Atatürk's Speeches and Statements, c. IV, Ank. 1969, p. 286-287.

16 Folder 259, Index 14.

17 Hâkimiyet-i Milliye, 13 April 1336, No. 21.

18 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Department, Independence Archive, Folder 259, File 19, Index 78.

19 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Department, Independence Archive, Folder 259, File 19, Index 78.

20 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Department, Independence Archive, Folder 259, File 19, Index 80.

21 General Staff, Head of Military History and Strategic Studies, Independence Archive, Folder, 259 Files, 19, Index 77.

22 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Presidency, Independence Archive,i Folder 259, File 19.

23 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Department, Independence Archive, Folder 259. File 19, Index 87.

24 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Presidency, Independence Archive, Folder 259. File 19, Index 86.

25 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Presidency, Independence Archive, Folder 259. File 19, Index 97.

26 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Department, Independence Archive, Folder 259. File 19, Index 98.

27 General Staff Military History and Strategic Studies Presidency, Independence Archive, Folder 259. File 19, Index 96.

28 Folder 259, File 19, Index 100.

Prof. Dr. Yücel Özkaya

Source: ATATÜRK ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ DERGİSİ, Sayı 2, Cilt: I, Mart 1985