| Abstract |
This study explores the challenges facing sustainable journalism practices in the post-truth era through interviews conducted with journalists in Northern Cyprus. Based on the perspectives of professionals in the field, the aim is to understand current issues related to the feasibility of ethical and sustainable journalism. The study indicates that challenges specific to the media field, compounded by the post-truth effect, relegate sustainable journalism practices to the sidelines. In this context, essential measures for the enduring success of media organizations include strategies like diversifying revenue sources, embracing digital subscription models, investigating alternative business models, enforcing transparent editorial policies, and actively involving readers. The study also reveals the effects of financial difficulties such as low salaries, limited budgets, and financial constraints on the professional practices of journalists through interviews. Furthermore, through interviews, it elucidates how technological changes, the rise of digital media, and the rapid dissemination of news affect journalists' information control processes and knowledge management strategies. Finally, while contributing to our understanding of how journalists in Northern Cyprus confront challenges in the post-truth era, this study presents the factors that may have a negative impact on sustainable journalism practices through an example and offers insights into common problems that may be encountered in this regard. Sustainable Journalism is a journalistic approach that aims to address the economic, ecological, and social sustainability challenges of society while securing the future of journalism practice. It is a essential concept for journalists to adopt ethical and independent journalism practices. However, in the era of Post-Truth, where facts deviate from objectivity and emotions and beliefs take precedence, the media faces deepening crises in achieving the mission of sustainable journalism and implementing sustainable journalistic practices. This study examines the challenges faced by sustainable journalism in Northern Cyprus media within this context. Through interviews with journalists working in Northern Cyprus media, this study interprets the findings obtained. The research reveals that in Northern Cyprus, challenges to sustainable journalism jeopardize editorial independence, lead to ethical issues, and create insensitivity to values such as accuracy and neutrality. This also contributes to the emergence of instant journalism practice characterizing the Post-Truth era, non-functioning fact-checking mechanisms in news production processes, and resorting to revenue-generating models fueled by misleading content models. In this context, the study emphasizes the need for strategic measures, such as diversifying revenue sources, adopting digital subscription models, exploring alternative business strategies, embracing transparent editorial policies, and encouraging active reader engagement, for media organizations in Northern Cyprus to adopt sustainable journalistic practices by highlighting the existing challenges. |
