Medyascope is a media platform founded by journalist Ruลen รakฤฑr on August 20, 2015, which produces content mainly on politics. The platform, which broadcasts via YouTube and podcast channels, has created a sustainable business model with funds provided by international institutions and foundations, social payment services such as Patreon and YouTube revenues, and has stood out as an example of independent publishing in Turkey.
It currently operates with a team of approximately forty people, and its YouTube channel has reached 320 thousand subscribers as of September 2023.
While Ruลen รakฤฑr is the editor-in-chief, Ufuk Kaya is the general manager, Kaya Heyse is the news coordinator and responsible manager, and Gรถksel Gรถksu is the news director. While the editorial team includes Gamze Elvan (chief), Senem Gรถrรผr, Ekin Karaca, Duygu Kรถseoฤlu (YouTube) and Cenk Narin, the reporters are Furkan Karabay and Fฤฑrat Fฤฑstฤฑk. Cihan Ataล and Aylinda Atabay share the corporate marketing and advertising directorate.
Medyascope was listed among the twenty-five promising companies in the Middle East in the Financial Times' "FT Future 25: Middle East" list in September 2019. The platform is also recognized with various recognitions and awards such as Reporters Without Borders and TV5โMonde Press Freedom Award, Vefik Kitapรงฤฑgil Public Service Award, Bostonbul Human Rights Award and the โFree Media Pioneer Awardโ given by the International Press Institute (IPI).
In terms of financing, Medyascope has received support from international organizations such as Chrest Foundation, European Endowment for Democracy, HeinrichBรถll Stiftung Association Turkey Representation and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). However, it has been claimed by some critics that these supports overshadow the independence of the platform.
Critics argue that Medyascope's stance on the refugee issue conflicts with the interests of these institutions and that news or comments cannot be contrary to the interests of the funding organizations.
