A committee consisting of the Media Association president Salih Memecan, the association secretary general Deniz Ergürel and journalist Ergun Babahan visited D.C. and New York in order to exchange ideas about the Turkish press freedom issues and international practices on media freedom.

During the US trip,  the committee met with various NGO’s, journalism organizations, think tanks and media representatives. The committee also visited the Turkey’s ambassador, Namık Tan in Washington, D.C.

At an event organized at the US House of Representatives by Turkic American Alliance, the association delegates made presentations on freedom of the press and the role of the internet for democracy. Delegates also delivered remarks at gatherings and panels organized by the Rumi Forum in DC and the Turkish Cultural Center in New York.

During the week-long visit the committee also visited the New York Times and held meetings and exchanged ideas with reporters and bloggers there, about the new and emerging business models in media. Delegates also attended the memorial service at the New York Times for reporter Anthony Shadid who was killed in Syria while on duty.