In a revealing broadcast on the Para Analiz platform, veteran economic and political analyst Dr. Cüneyt Akman, alongside Zeynep Ece Ulukaya, explores the deep-seated rot within the Turkish media following the high-profile arrest of former Habertürk Editor-in-Chief Mehmet Akif Ersoy.

The discussion frames the scandal not as an isolated incident, but as a symptom of a systemic “internal decay” (tefessüh) that intertwines the worlds of media, narcotics, and political power struggles.

Author Dr Cüney Akman

Media, Power, and the “Great Rot”: An Analysis of the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Case

The arrest of Mehmet Akif Ersoy on charges of facilitating drug use and organized crime has sent shockwaves through Turkey’s media landscape. Dr. Cüneyt Akman, who was present during the founding years of Habertürk, uses this event as a lens to examine how Turkish media transitioned from an independent “fourth estate” into a tool for blackmail, political maneuvering, and organized crime.

The Evolution of Turkish Media: From Independent to Indebted

Dr. Akman recalls the early days of Habertürk in late 2001. Founded by journalists like Ufuk Güldemir, it initially stood out because it did not own a bank—a rarity at the time when media moguls used their banking arms to “hollow out” public funds. This independence allowed Habertürk to report aggressively on the banking scandals that led to the 2001 economic crisis.

However, over decades, this independence eroded. Akman explains that as media outlets became financially indebted to large conglomerates (such as the Ciner Group) and eventually fell under intense political pressure, they transformed. Today, the “Great Picture” reveals a sector where journalism is frequently sidelined in favor of “business interests” that include illegal gambling, narcotics, and blackmail.

The “Sextortion” and Narcotics Connection

The current investigation involves allegations of “facilitating drug use” and “establishing a criminal organization.” Akman draws parallels between this case and infamous historical scandals like the “Babalar” (Dads/Mobsters) operations of the 1970s and 80s, and the Susurluk scandal of the 90s. In all these instances, he notes a recurring theme: the instrumentalization of sex and drugs.

He argues that the recruitment of high-profile media figures and social media influencers (such as Ela Rümeysa Cebeci, who was also detained) often follows a pattern of exploitation. Ambitious young professionals are drawn in by promises of fame, only to be trapped by narcotics or compromising situations that are later used for blackmail or to serve political agendas.

Judicial Reliability and the “Leak” Scandal

A major point of concern for Dr. Akman is the systematic leaking of investigation details to specific pro-government newspapers (like Sabah). He highlights a critical breach of trust: when a suspect hands over their phone to the police or prosecutor, and the private contents appear in the press the next day, it signals a total collapse of institutional credibility.

Akman warns that if the state allows its investigative processes to be used as a weapon in internal political “score-settling,” the public’s trust in the judiciary and law enforcement vanishes. He asserts that while individual crimes are tragic, the “Greater Disaster” is a state where no institution remains reliable.

The International Context: The “Epstein” of Turkey?

Dr. Akman compares the current Turkish situation to the Jeffrey Epstein case in the United States. He notes that organized structures—whether in Hollywood, Washington, or Ankara—often exploit human weaknesses (sex, money, and drugs) to control influential figures. He points out that these organizations are no longer “back-alley” operations; they are international syndicates larger than many holdings, often hiding behind conservative or “patriotic” facades.

Conclusion: A Crisis of Meritocracy

The broadcast concludes with a somber reflection on the loss of professional dignity in journalism. Akman shares an anecdote from the late Ferhan Şensoy about how the title of “Journalist” once commanded immense respect, but has now fallen to the bottom of social prestige rankings.

He argues that the current “decay” is driven by a system that favors “yes-men” and those willing to perform any task—including blackmail and false reporting—over principled journalists. Until Turkey can clean its institutional house and separate media from the influence of “narcotics-fueled” political struggles, he fears these scandals will continue to repeat in ten-year cycles.