Özgür Sevinç Şimşek

(Journalist from Turkey, JiR in 2023/2024)

I had to return to my profession as a journalist immediately after nearly five and a half years of imprisonment, before I even had a chance to breathe. It was very challenging for me to continue working with the intense stress of prison and at the same time I was not able to maintain professional efficiency.

Just when I was struggling with these difficulties in Istanbul, I joined ECPMF’s Journalist-in-Residence Programme. In Leipzig, I felt once again how meaningful life is with ECPMF’s team making everything easier and with the opportunities they provide. Leipzig is a wonderful city and being here has been good for me in every way.

It is nice to be able to breathe freely again after the thick walls of the prison. Thanks to this programme, I now feel fitter and stronger both personally and professionally. In my humble opinion, this programme is like an oxygen tank for journalists working in countries where journalism is under judicial or economic pressure.

Photos: Andreas Lamm