Under reconsruction
Memet Aksakal
Freelance Journalist, Fixer, and Researcher
Journalists who wish to report fom Turkey must obtain temporary press accreditation from the Presidential Directorate of Communications. Detailed information is available here: https://www.iletisim.gov.tr/english/temporary-accreditation
Some of my published articles
Turkish articles
My articles for Independent Turkish
https://www.indyturk.com/article-author/memet-aksakal
My articles for Serbestiyet
Working on Discovery Channel’s Mega Builders documentary about the Bosphorus Metro tunnel project, Istanbul, 2009
Working for Voice of America, Iraqi Kurdistan, 2012
Working for the Japanese Sankei newspaper, Ankara, 2023
Working for the Japanese Sankei newspaper, Syrian border, Hatay, 2015
Covering the earthquake for Al Jazeera Balkans TV, Gaziantep, 2023
Working for Al Jazeera Balkans covering the Syrian conflict, Turkish–Syrian border, Kilis, 2014
Working for the Japanese TBS TV, Syrian border, Sanliurfa, 2015
Working for Fox News on the Syrian border, Hatay, 2017
Working for Fox News covering the Jamal Khashoggi murder case, Istanbul, 2018.
Working for Al Jazeera Balkans TV, Istanbul, 2019
Working for Fox News covering the Kobani war on the Syrian border, Şanlıurfa, 2014.
Working on the series Tough Trucks for, PBS and Travel Channel, various locations across Turkey, 2017.
Working for Swedish Television (SVT) in the Syrian city of Kobani, 2015
Working for PBS on the Turkish–Syrian border, 2012
Working for Canada's Global News TV in Iraqi Kurdistan, 2014
Working inside Syria during the war, 2012
Working for Swedish Television (SVT) on the Syrian border Hatay, 2012
Working for Fox News on the Syrian border, Gaziantep, 2012
Working with Canadian film director Simcha Jacobovici on the documentary film Struma, Istanbul, 2000
Working with BBC Scotland team on a news story, Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, 2001
Working for Swedish Television (SVT), Erzurum, eastern Turkey, 2016
Working for the Japanese Sankei newspaper, Erzurum, eastern Turkey, 2016
Working for Voice of America on the Turkish–Syrian border, 2012
Working for ARTE TV on the Turkish–Syrian border, Hatay, 2012
Working for Swedish Television (SVT) in eastern Turkey, Tuncelli (Dersim), 2011
Working for CNN International on the programme Green Journey, Istanbul, 2011
Working for BBC on the series Life in a Cottage Garden with Carol Klein, Van, eastern Turkey, 2014
Working for CNN International on the program CNN Go, Istanbul, 2010
Working for CNN International on the program Future Cities, Istanbul, 2010
Working with BBC Scotland team on a news story, Gaziantep, southeastern Turkey, 2001
Working with BBC Scotland team on a news story, Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, 2009
Working with the BBC Scotland team in Zonguldak, northern Turkey, 2010
Some of My Work Experiences
I’m a freelance journalist and researcher with more than two decades of experience covering Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and the wider Middle East. I have worked with major television networks and production companies from the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia on breaking news, investigative reporting, and documentaries.
Between 2011 and 2016, I was based on the Syrian border, reporting on the war and its humanitarian and political impact. I also have extensive experience supporting international journalists and documentary crews with research, logistics, source development, and access throughout the region.
I am fluent in Kurdish, Turkish, English, German, and Persian, with working knowledge of Arabic. I produce original articles and video footage and continue to support international media teams working across Turkey and the Middle East.
FOX News October 2018
Pastor Brunson's case in Izmir, Khashoggi's murder case in Istanbul
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Sankei Shimbun Japanese Newspaper October 2018
News stories in Hatay at Syrian border and Istanbul.
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Finnish YLE TV October 2018
A documentary about Garbage collectors Library in Ankara Cankaya district.
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Al Jazeera Balkans TV June 2018
News stories and report from Ankara about elections in Turkey.
http://balkans.aljazeera.net/video/ankara-nakon-izbora
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Sankei Shimbu Japanese Newspaper June 2018
Report from Abkara about Turkish elections.
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De Volkskrant Amsterdam Dutch Newspaper May 2018
Reports from Istanbul about Turkish economy and political situation.
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Sankei Shimbu Japanese Newspaper April 2018
Reports from Hatay, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa at Syrian border and from Istanbul about Syrian conflict and Syrian refugees and economical and political situation in Turkey.
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Finwire Swedish News site January 2018
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Work I did in 2017
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Working with Mr. Jomy George November 2017
Filming part of a documentary in Erzuurm about an Indian man journey from India to UK
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Globe Trekker September-Oktober 2017
Filming Globe Trekker's Episode Tough Trucks Turkey in Ankara, Salt lake, Aksaray, Cappadocia. Corum Hattusha, Amasya, Sivas, Erzuurm, Kars Ani Ruins, Igidr, Dogubeyazit.
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Norway TV 2 August 2017
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Moldova Exclusiv Media August 2017
Istoria Moldovei, filming Moldovan's prince Dimitri Kandemir's house in Istanbul as part a documentary about Moldovan history.
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Al Jazeera Balkans TV July 2017
Anniversary of 2016 coup attempt, Several reports from Istanbul.
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Al Jazeera Balkans April 2017
Several reports from Istanbul and Ankara about Constitutional referendum in Turkey.
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Norway TV 2 April 2017
Reports about Constitutional referendum in Turkey
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FOX News TV April 2017
Reports from Hatay at Syrian border about Syrian regime using chemical weapons in Syria
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De Volkskrant Amsterdam April 207
Reports about Constitutional referendum in Turkey
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Work I did in 2016
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VOA September 2010
In Remote Eastern Turkey, Villagers Eye EU Visa Deal With Interest
I filmed the story in Erzurum Mr. Henry Ridgwell from VOA edited it in London.
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VOA May 2016
Turkey Border Closure Divides Syrian Refugee Families
I filmed the story in Gaziantep Mr. Henry Ridgwell from VOA edited it in London.
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From Zero to Elbrus June 2016
A sport and travel documentary, June 2016 About Italian athlete Nico Valsesia. Travelling and Filming from Istanbul to Georgian border in eastern Turkey.
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Cogeco Media Canada April 2016
Radio reports from Syrian border about latest situation at the border and inside Syria
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Work I did for Al Jazeera Balkans in 2016
(You can click on any links below to see the videos)
Military coup attempt in Turkey: Istanbul, July 2016
Story 1: People stand against coup
Story 2: People support government and democracy
Story 3: Did coup plot affected tourism in Istanbul?
Story 4: Family of a man that killed by coup plotters
Ak Party congress in Ankara: May, 2106
Did Ak Party bring more democracy and freedom?
Explosion in Ankara: March 2016
Story 1: PKK's violence in Turkey
Story 2: Residents of Ankara are afraid after explosion
Turkey-Syrian border: Kilis, February 2016
Story 1: Syrian refugees in town of Kilis at Syrian border
Story 2: A Syrian refugee couple in Gaziantep
Explosion in Istanbul, January 2016
Story 1: Flowers for victims, investigation underway
Story 2: Reservation cancellations in tourism sector in Istanbul
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Work I did in 2015
Al Jazeera Balkans
December 2015-January 2016
-Report about Bosphorus straight in Istanbul
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Syrian refugees story for Keofilms www.keofilms.com
Broadcaster: BBC November 2015
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Research for Nordisk Films company www.nordiskfilmtv.com, November 2015
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Stories about Eearly elections in Turkey for Al Jazeera Balkans in Ankara in November 2015
Syrian issue is crucial for Turkish elections, Syrian refugees in Ankara
A Kurdish family in Ankara, what they think about Elections
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Stories about early elections and Kurdish issue for VOA in Istanbul and Erzururm in October 2015
Security Threats Drive Deep Polarization In Turkey Ahead Of Election
Bitter Campaign Heats Up Ahead of Turkish Snap Election
A Kurdish village in Erzurum, what do they think about elections
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Story for Al Jazeera Balkans about explosion in Ankara in October 2015. Ankara
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Stories about Syrian refugees in Turkey for VOA in September 2015 in Istanbul and Edirne
http://www.voanews.com/content/migrants-see-no-future-in-turkey-want-to-head-to-europe/2975018.html
https://www.voanews.com/a/2975026.html
https://www.voanews.com/a/some-turks-unhappy-with-syrian-migrants/2980205.html http://www.voanews.com/media/video/why-migrants-stay-in-and-which-leave-turkey/2980393.html
Subject: Illegal immigration from Turkey to EU. Broadcaster Swedish TV 4 Location: Izmir, Ayvalik, Dikili, Ayvacik, Behramkale Date: September 2015
Subject: Illegal immigration from Turkey to EU. Broadcaster TV 2 Norway Location: Izmir, Ayvalik, Dikili Date: September 2015
Subject: Border Situation Broadcaster:Japanese TBS Location:Hatay Antakya, Aug 2015
Subject: Illegal immigration to Eu from Turkey. Broadcaster Al Jazeera Balkan Location: Izmir Date: August 2015
Subject: General elections in Turkey Broadcaster Al Jazeera Balkan June 2015. Ankara
Working for Swedish TV (SVT) working on Syria issue in Sanliurfa May 2015
Subject: Several stories from Turkey including Amenian in Turkey and Armenian church in Diyarbakir Broadcaster Al Jazeera Balkan April 2015. Location: Istanbul and Diyarbakir.
Working on Syria issue in Sanliurfa March 2015, Sanliurfa. Japanese TBS TV
Latest refugees situation in Turkey Fabruary 2015, Sanliurfa, Akcakale, Suruc (Kobani Border) VOA TV
News about Japanese hostages kidnapped by ISIS. January 2015, Gaziantep, Kilis and Akcakale (Tall Abyad) boder. Japanese TBS TV
Work I did in 2014
News stories and a documentary about Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Turkey Dec 2014, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Sirnak-Silopi, Sanliurfa-Suruc. Al Jazeera Balkan
News from Kobani border Oct 2014, Suruc, Sanliurfa Fox news
News from Kobani border Sep 2014, Suruc Sanliurfa SRF Swiss TV
ISIS captured Mosul June 2014 Erbil, Mosul, Iraqi Kurdistan Canada National Global news
Filming unusual scenes in Istanbul with Mr Logan Adermatt and his friends June 2014
Commercial film for Experian company, Istanbul April 2014.
A documentary about Tulips April and May 2014, Location Istanbul and Van. Producer: Oxford Scientific Films Broadcaster: BBC 4
Local Elections in Turkey March 2014, Istanbul, Al Jazeera Balkan
Several Stories from Turkey-Syrian border January, 2014, Kilis and Gaziantep Al Jazeera Balkan
Work I did in 2013
Middle East Business Report December 2013, Turkey Syrian border Kilis and Gaziantep BBC World news
Demonstrations in Nusaybin against wall built on the border November 2013, Nusaybin Ruptly news agency
Byzantium: A Tale of three Cities A documentary about secret City Istanbul.
Each 1 hour x 3 Episodes September-October 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03lyyrc BBC 4
Demonstrations in Tunceli (Dersim) June 2013, ARTE Journal
Taksim Protests in Istanbul June 2013, VOA
Taksim Protestes in Istanbul June 2013, Istanbul Fox News TV
Taksim Gezi Protests in Istanbul June 2013, Istanbul BBC News night
Ilegal Syrian immigrants to Europe May 2013, Istanbul, Gaziantep, Izmir BBC News night
Several stories from Turkey-Syria boder May 2013, Japanese TV (Tokyo Broadcasting System)
Göbeklitepe, the First Human being temple Sanlıurfa, April 2013, German WDR TV
Kurdish Conflict and possible peace April 2013, Istanbul RT TV
Syrian refugees in Gaziantep April 2013, ARTE Journal, ARTE TV
US Patriots deployment in Turkey February 2013, Gaziantep Fox news
German Patriots deployment in Kahramanmaras, Turkey Iskenderun, Gazianntep, Kahramanmaras, January 2013 German ARD TV
Work I did 2012
Strong women in Roman Empire Producer: Hotsouce media Broadcaster: BBC Date: December 2012, Location: Afrodisias in Aydin provinde in western Turkey
Syrian Refugees in Izmir Date: October 2012 Locatin: Izmir Broadcaster BBC
A documentary about Uygur Turks in Istanbul Date: October 2102 Location: Istanbul Broadcaster: Al Jazeera TV
World weirdest August 2012 Cappadocia, A documentary for National Geographic
Research for a possible documentary film about a missing Scottish mountaineer May 2012 Dugubeyazit
Ancient Greek cities Miletos and Priene Date: April 2011 Location: Miletos and Priene Company: BBC Scotland Radio
Filming for General Motors' website about their clients in Turkey Date: March 2012 Location: Istanbul, Eskisehir,Adapazari, Gebze Company: General Motors
Separate list of the work I did at Syrian border in 2012
December 2012
-Australlian ABC TV Location: Kilis oncupinar, yayladagi, Rehyanli Hatay-Antakya
-GPD Dutch news agency Location: Sanliurfa, Suruc, Gaziantep, Hatay-Antakya, Samandagi
November 2102
-American PBS TV Location: Antakya Yayladagi, Reyhanli, Samandagi, Gaziantep, Ceylanpinar, Nusaybin, Madin -VOA Kilis, Gaziantep, Hatay Antakya, Ceylanpinar
October 2102
-VOA Location: Kilis, Gaziantep, Hatay Antakya, Ceylanpinar, Diyarbakir ARTE TV Kilis Oncupinar, Yayladagi, Reyhanli, Hatay-Antakya
-El mundo Spanish newspaper Location: Hatay Antakya, Samandagi
September 2012
-Washington Post Location:Hatay, Antakya
August 2012
-Danish Newspaper Kilis, oncupinar
-Swedish Radio Kilis Oncupinar, Syria Azzaz city
-CCTV Kilis, Gaziantep, Hatay Antakya, Ceylanpinar
-VOA Kilis, Gaziantep, Hatay Antakya, Ceylanpina
-Swedish TV, SVT Kilis, Gaziantep, Hatay Antakya
-Helsingin Sanomat newspaper Kilis, oncupinar
-Swedish Radio Kilis Oncupinar, Yayladagi, Reyhanli, Hatay-Antakya
-VOA Kilis, Gaziantep, Hatay Antakya, Yayladagi -El mundo Spanish newspaper Akcakale, Mursitpinar,Ceylanpinar, Nusaybin
-GPD Dutch news agency Kilis
June 2012
-Journalism students from Chicago Hatay, Antakya
-SVT Swedish Television Hatay Antakya, Yayladagi, Reyhanli, Altinozu
April 2012
-RT Television Hatay-Antakya, Yayladagi, Reyhanli, Altinozu
-Der Spiegel Hatay-Antakya
-SVT Swedish Television Hatay, Antakya
-Ansa med Italian news agency Hatay-Antakya, Yayladagi
March 2012
-Dutch Newspaper Trouw Hatay Antakya, Yayladagi
-VOA Kilis, Hatay Antakya, Yayladagi, Rehyanli, Altinozu
-GPD Dutch news agency Kilis, Hatay Antakya, Yayladagi, Rehyanli, Altinozu
-Indonesian TV one Television Hatay-Antakya, Yayladagi, Reyhanli, Altinozu
-The wall Street Journal Hatay-Antakya
-The Australian Newspaper Hatay-Antakya, Yayladagi
February 2012
-BBC International Hatay-Antakya, Yayladagi
-Timo Vogt, Photoghraper Hatay-Antakya, Yayladagi
-------- Fixer in Sanliurfa
Work I did in 2011
Syrian refugess in Hatay (Antakya) Date: December 2011 Location: Hatay (Antakya) Syrian Border Company: VOA TV
African Football Players in Turkey Date: December 2011 Location: Istanbul Company: BBC Scotlan
GLBT's rights in Turkey Date: December 2011 Location: Istanbul Company: BBC Scotland
Kim Kardashian's village in Kars Turkey Date: November 2011 Location: Kars Company: Sun Newspaper, UK
The Odysey of the Europe Date: November 2011 Location: Istanbul Company: La Compagnie des Taxi Brousee: Broadcester: ART
Turtle Beach (A commercial film) Date: November 2011 Location: Erzurum Company: Goodoil films, Australlia
Earthquake in Eastern Turkey Date: October 2011 Location: Van, Eecis Company: CCTV China
Green Journey Date: October 2011 Location: Istanbul Company: CNN International
Turkey Israel relations Date: October 2011 Location: Istanbul Company: Newsanew TV Broadceter: Press TV
Syrian refugees in Hatay (Antakya) Date: September-October 2011 Location: Hatay (Antakya) Syrian Border Company:Swedish TV (SVT)
Qualcomm Conference in Istanbul Date: September 2011 Location: Istanbul: Company: Runaway films, London
Kurdish rights activist Ferhat Tunc and Human rights in Turkey Date: July 2011 Location: Tuncelli (Dersim) Company: Swedish TV (SVT)
Museum Secrets A documentary about Topkapi Palace Museum Date: June, July 2011 Location: Istanbul, Hatay Company: Kensington Communications Toranto, Canada Broadcaster: History channel Canada
General Elections in Turkey and Syrian refugees in Hatay Antakya) Date: June 2011 Location: Istanbul, Hayat (Antakya) Company: VOA TV
General Elections in Turkey Company: Swedish SVT, Location: Istanbul
Foot prints in Asia (Unusual culture and food in Turkey) Date: May 2011 Location: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Safranbolu Company: MediaCorp TV Singapore
Gas Monopoly (a documentary about Gas) Date: May 2011 Location: Istanbul Company: Fischer film Gmbh Broadcaster: ORF
Hagia Sophia's secrets Date: April 2011 Location: Istanbul Company: CNN International
Culture and Politic in Turkey as a Mulsim country February 2011 Location: Istanbul, Diyarbakir, Cappadocia, Konya Company: Pro 1 TV Indonesia
HSBC British Museum Hajj Exhibition Sponsor film Date: February 2011 Location: Istanbul Company: Proudfoot company London
Work I did in 2010
World tallest man Date: December 2010 Location: Ankara Company: Fuji tv Japan
Miners and mining safety in Turkey Date: December 2010 Location: Zonguldak Company: BBC Scotland
Iraqi Christian refugees in Turkey Date: December 2010 Location: Istanbul Company: BBC Scotland
Sex Scandals in Religions Date: November 2011 Location: Nigde, Kayseri Company: Canada Broadcasting Corporation Broadcaster: Vision TV Canada
CNNgo Istanbul November 2010 Location: Istanbul Company: CNN International www.cnn.com/cnngo
Commercial film for Sika Services AG Zurich Date: November 2010 Location: Istanbul, Bursa Company: advertising, art & ideas ltd
Research on Afghan refugees in Turkey Date:November 2010 Location:Istanbul Company:Love production Broadcaster: BBC
Cultures in the cities on the Silk Road Date: October 2010 Location: Istanbul, Konya, Bursa Company: Singapore tv
Constitutional change and democratic reforms in Turkey Date: October 2010 Location: Istanbul Company: SVT, Swedish tv
Kurdish conflict and possible peace Date: September 2010 Location: Diyarbakir Company: SVT, Swedish tv
Referendum for Constitutional changes in Turkey Date: September 2010 Location: Istanbul Company: SVT, Swedish tv
Future cities, Istanbul Date: June 2010 Location: Istanbul Company: CNN International
Routes to Christianity, a documentary about early Christianity Date: May 2010 Location: Istanbul, Izmit, (Kocaeli) Iznik, Konya, Yalvac, Tarsus, Antakya, (Hatay) Samandag, Ephesus, Izmir. Broadcaster: PBS USA
Ford factory in Golcuk Date: March 2010 Location: Istanbul, Golcuk, Kocaeli Company: BBC Solent Radio and BBC South Today TV http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0072fhb
A documentary about a group of Kurdish musicians in Diyarbakir Date: January 2010 Location: Diyarbakir Company: NHK Japan
The work I did in the February 2023 earthquake in Turkey
Report for VOA from Diyarbakir (filming interviews and translation)
Report for VOA from Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep (filming interviews and translation