Being criticized is a blessing, and I am thankful to all of my critics. This gives you a chance to look at your performance and to correct your mistakes. In addition, I find hidden pleasure in the idea that this is proof of being read and considered.
The e-mail gave me some clues on what my readers would mainly consider negative.
For instance, the following lines, “Due to the fact, that this newspaper is published in English, the handling and behavior of the Republic of Turkey and their controlling institutions is mostly seen from a British or American expats [point of view] and this is not the correct picture of Turkey,” say that my articles mainly respond to questions from American and British expats.
I only receive a very small number of letters from Americans, and I would love to receive more. Maybe I should take this question as “the problems in Turkey are mainly shown from the view of English-speaking countries because the newspaper is published in English.”
Indeed I only receive 40 percent of letters from the citizens of English-speaking countries. Letters from citizens of other countries are generally very short, and even if they do contain extensive explanations, sometimes the question gets lost in the letter, whereas e-mails from English-speaking readers give a more fluent and easy to read account of the problems they have been encountering. However, this gives the incorrect impression that I have only been responding to the questions of readers from English-speaking countries.
What is the main purpose of my articles?
My main purpose is to bring bad examples to people's attention so they don't make the same mistakes. It is impossible to ignore the system's failures in Turkey. As you may have already seen, Turkey has greatly improved in the last two decades; if no one had complained, there would not have been any improvements.
Do I respond to all questions?
No. I should also state that I classify some e-mails focused on personal problems as personal and not to do with the system, so I don't respond to these very personal questions. I aim to respond to questions which may be of interest to all foreigners living in Turkey regardless of their nationality.
Do I feel obliged to write about problems encountered in other countries?
It may be true that some countries discriminate against or unfairly treat Turkish citizens' applications or those of other countries' citizens. This is raised in Today's Zaman from time-to-time, and I would love to write about this if I receive enquiries giving me some facts, as the abovementioned e-mail did. However, I don't think that being concerned with these problems and finding solutions or drawing attention to such problems should be the field of a foreign writer focusing on the problems of expats in that particular country.
I would like to receive letters full of delight concerning life in Turkey. I thank you very much for the criticism, and I look forward to receiving these kinds of letters as well as questions about the legal side of living or doing business in Turkey.
NOTE: Berk Çektir is a licensed attorney at law and available to answer questions on the legal aspects of living in Turkey. Send enquiries to b.cektir@todayszaman.com The names of readers are disclosed only upon written approval of the sender.DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended to give basic legal information. You should get legal assistance from a licensed attorney at law while conducting legal transactions and not just rely on the information in this corner.
