ILAD Communication Research Association: Brief History

ILAD (Communication Research Association), which completed its preparatory work to accredit programs related to communication education in Turkey, is a more than 30-year-old association. The establishment efforts began in the 1980s with the initiative of the UNESCO National Commission to establish a communication research center in Turkey. Stakeholder meetings were held with the institutions active in the field of communication at that time, including the Turkey Journalists Association, the Rectorate of Mimar Sinan University, the Directorate of Marmara University Press Broadcasting High School, the Directorate of Istanbul Press Broadcasting High School, the Ankara Press Broadcasting High School, the Ministry of Culture, and representatives of Anadolu University. With contributions from communication education institutions and universities as well as professionals from the communication sector such as journalists and public relations experts, ILAD (Communication Research Association) was established in 1989.

The founder and current Honorary President of ILAD is Dr. Hıfzı Topuz.

The ILAD Communication Research Association was granted the status of an association capable of international relations shortly after its establishment (July 21, 1989), as published in the Official Gazette.

The Council of Ministers Decision is as follows:

"Ministerial Decisions: Decision Number: 89/14349 Permission for the establishment of the "Communication Research Association" based in Istanbul to engage in international activities; Based on the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the letter dated 28/6/1989 numbered 186112 of the Ministry of the Interior, in accordance with Article 11 of Law No. 2908, it was decided by the Council of Ministers on 21/7/1989." (Official Gazette, July 21, 1989)

Management and Working Principles of ILAD

As an organization in the form of an association, ILAD continues its activities with the Board of Directors, the Supervisory Board, and the Honorary Board elected at its General Assembly in accordance with its bylaws. In its activities as an association, ILAD monitors developments in the field of communication, rewards successful research, organizes meetings, conferences, and panels, publishes works, and produces books.

When ILAD started its accreditation efforts for communication education, it made the necessary arrangements in its bylaws and structured the Communication Education Evaluation Accreditation Board (ILEDAK) as follows in its bylaws.

Purpose, Subject, and Scope of Activities of the Association

Article 3- The purpose of the association is to contribute to the development of sectors such as communication, media, advertising, public relations, the establishment of freedom of expression and press, conducts research either independently or in collaboration with universities, associations, foundations, unions, non-governmental organizations, public institutions, and organizations at home and abroad, and supports research conducted in these fields.

By conducting accreditation, evaluation, and information activities for communication education programs, it contributes to the improvement of communication education in Turkey and the TRNC. Thus, the aim is to raise awareness within society and advance communication with the world by training more qualified communicators who grasp current and emerging technologies.

• The association carries out the following tasks for accreditation, evaluation, and information activities for communication education programs:

• Accredits communication education programs upon the application of institutions,

• Selects and trains evaluators for accreditation activities,

• Informs and trains program managers and faculty members about program evaluation,

• Conducts joint projects with public institutions and organizations in areas falling within their field of activity when necessary to achieve its goals.

Dr. Hıfzı Topuz is known as the first academician and journalist in Turkey to have completed a doctorate in the field of communication and as the person who initiated communication education both globally and in Turkey. He is recognized for his efforts worldwide from the 1960s to the 1970s as a UNESCO staff member to initiate communication education from Indonesia to Canada, Africa to the Middle East.

ILAD Activities

Ø Some of the national panels, conferences and symposiums organised by ILAD are:

Ø Media Ownership and the Cases of Maxwell and Murdoch (at Press Museum 29 september 1990)

Ø Privatisation of Radio and Television (January 1991) Bülent Ecevit invited as Keynote speaker.

Ø Satelite Broadcasting and Turkey (at Press Museum, 17 March 1990)

Ø Municipalities and Communication (at the Office of Turkish Journalists Association, 30 March 1991)

Ø ''News Media and International Conflicts” symposium organized with IAMCR, (June 1991) Tarabya Hotel, Istanbul

Ø Media Responsibility organized with UNESCO (at Sepetçiler Kasrı, Istanbul, 14 January 1994)

Ø Media and Public Interest (Anadolu University, Eskisehir, 1994)

Ø “Ethical Issues in Mass Communication” (November 1994)

Ø “Media and Globalisation/Mondialisation”. A conference held by Prof. Armand Mattelard, 2002 (ILAD social club)

Ø IFJ members’ visit to ILAD, a meeting on the labour conditions of journalists, 2002

Ø “2nd Turkish Journalists Conference” in Memory of The First Turkish Journalists Conference in 1955 (January 2005)

Ø Conference Series in the Project of Media Monitoring, 2006-2008

Ø Presentations of postgraduate and doctoral theses on media and communication 2004-2008

Ø 4th European Communication Conference with European Communication Research Association-ECREA in İstanbul
(24-27 October 2012)

ILAD has also been active in contributing to many national and local seminars and conferences organised by universities
and local journalist associations

ILAD Awards

ILAD gives communication awards in three categories each year.

1- “Communication Award in honour of Dr Hıfzı Topuz” to one media staff in order to appreciate ethical behaviour.

2- “Journalism Award in honour of Muserref Hekimoğlu” to one successful young female journalist.

3- “The Communication Research of the Year Award” is given to the best research in communication  chosen by the jury.

ILAD-HISTORY IN BRIEF

The history of ILAD, as being an Association of Communication Research, goes back to 1986. National President of UNESCO Suat Sinanoğlu, President of Turkish Journalists Association-Nezih Demirkent and Dr. Hifzi Topuz realised the idea of the need
for a communication association in Turkey which  was reinforced by the communication academics, journalists and writers. In 1989 the Association gained a legal status for research in communications on regional and international level. Dr. Hıfzı Topuz
is the Founder President.

Targets and objectives of ILAD are based on conducting and supporting researches in communication, having collaborations with international communication researchers, monitoring agenda of media and communication both on national and
international level, and supporting the exchange of information.

After having had several relocations during the foundation period, ILAD owns a meeting office and a social clubhouse in Beyoglu Taksim since 2000. The Executive board organizes in its clubhouse once a month dinner-conferences on current issues which
are open to ILAD members and researchers.

ILAD has more than 300 members. The members are communication scholars (junior and senior), journalists and writers.

ILAD Publications:

Ø ILAD newsletters (“İletişim Araştırma Bülteni”) ’The Bulletin of Communication Research’

Ø Monopolisation of Press (Basında Tekelleşmeler) 1989 (with collaboration of TÜSES)

Ø Vision on Radio and Television Systems of the Future (Yarının Radyo TV Düzeni) 1990 (with collaboration of TÜSES)

Ø Research Techniques and Methods in Communication (Araştırma Yöntemleri, Teknikleri ve İletişim) (Prof. Aysel Aziz)

Ø And Communication - A gift book dedicated to Prof. Dr. Ersan İlal
(Prof. Dr. Ersan İlal'e armağan. Ve İletişim..) Editor Prof.  Dr. Aysel Aziz

Ø The Revolution Years  of Communication - A gift book dedicated to Dr. Hıfzı Topuz
(İletişimde Devrim Yılları- Dr. Hıfzı Topuz'a armağan kitap) Editor: Füsun Özbilgen