Union Statutes

CHAPTER 1 NAME AND PURPOSE OF THE UNION

Article 1: Name

Name of the Union: Dünya Elektronik (E) Basın Konseyi Birliği (Union of the World Electronic Press Council). Turkish abbreviation: DEBK. English abbreviation: UCWEP. Hereafter referred to as the Union.

PURPOSE: To protect and develop Free and Responsible Electronic (E) Media Institutions, to support Independent E-press and similar organs, organizations that ensure the freedom, responsibility and accountability of the media by adhering to the principles in the declaration of world media organizations. To encourage institutions and organizations in this direction, to protect people and to help them develop, to create financial resources to achieve their goals, to cooperate with appropriate international organizations, to determine the formation, organs, duties and working methods of UCWEP, to help E-Press to publish freely, considering that E-Press has become indispensable for the age and technological transformation, to ensure and defend the accurate information of the public by observing human and religious freedom and values, to support local, national and international news sites publishing in e-environment and the press that writes the news in electronic environment. To help its members and writers maintain their professional practices at the level expected from a free and respected electronic press and to seek solutions to their problems. Press advisors and press consultants of internet publishing institutions, NGOs and official institutions that adopt the ‘E Press Professional Principles’, IT experts and journalists doing internet journalism, lawyers who will contribute to the development of the council, academics or university managers or representatives, sociologists, psychologists, digital publishers, software developers, service providers, IT companies, Technology producers or their representatives, electronic writers (Blog writers, etc.), digital advertising companies or their representatives and digital communicators, Media Councils, Chambers and It was established to cooperate with unions, Press Councils and similar organizations and to improve the union’s cooperation in economic and technical fields.

SCOPE

Article 2: This status; It covers the formation, management principles, organs, duties and powers, and working procedures and principles of UCWEP.

BASIS

Article 3: This status; It does not contain matters and principles that are contrary to the international agreements to which Türkiye is a party, National Laws, E-Press Professional Principles and Principles, and the relevant provisions of the applicable law dictated by domestic law. In case the international agreements and national laws to which Türkiye is a party are changed, this status; is also re-adapted to these changes.

DEFINITIONS

Article 4: – Mentioned in this Statute;

a) General Assembly: UCWEP General Assembly;
b) Board of Directors: UCWEP Board of Directors;
c) Council: UCWEP Supreme Council
d) President: The Chairman of the Board of Directors of UCWEP,
also the President of the Council,
e) General Secretary: The General Secretary of the Council, as well as the General Secretary of the Board of Directors,
f) The Council has an office staffed by competent staff reporting to the Secretary General. The President decides on the recruitment and dismissal of employees. The Secretary General has the authority to submit proposals to the president.
g) The current Board of Directors is fully authorized to make appointments from its principal members to form the structures specified in Article 4 of the statute. The Supreme Council of UCWEP monitors local, national and international E-Media and social media, prepares reports or has them prepared, discloses them to the public, and gives representations for this purpose and works to realize the purpose of the union. Working procedures and principles of UCWEP are prepared by the board of directors. These principles are valid until the first general assembly. It submits to the approval of the General Assembly at the first General Assembly. The general assembly may change the working procedures and principles submitted for approval with an amendment proposal, or approve them as they are.

CHAPTER 2: DUTIES AND WORKING PRINCIPLES OF THE UNION

Article 5: Duties and working principles of the Union;

a-To create the ‘E Press Professional Principles’. To investigate electronic journalism or publications that are contrary to these principles and the world press professional principles without any application, to collect information and documents and, when necessary, to request defense from the relevant parties, and to announce the results to the public with comments.

b- Organizing training activities such as courses, seminars, conferences and panels,
c-To provide all kinds of information, documents, documents and publications necessary for the realization of the purpose of the Union, to establish a documentation center, to publish all kinds of publications such as e-newspapers, magazines, books and bulletins, websites in line with its aims in order to announce its work,
d-To provide a healthy working environment for the realization of the purpose, to provide all kinds of technical tools and equipment, fixtures and stationery,
Carrying out e-Aid collection activities and accepting donations from home and abroad,
f- To establish and operate or ensure the operation of economic, commercial and industrial enterprises in order to provide the income needed to achieve the purpose of the Union,
g- To open or have clubs opened, to establish social and cultural facilities, to have them established and to furnish them, in order for its members to benefit from and exchange ideas in their spare time,
h- To organize dinner meetings, concerts, balls, theatre, exhibitions, sports, trips and entertaining events etc. in order to develop and maintain human relations among its members. to organize, organize or enable its members to benefit from such events,
j- To purchase, sell, rent, rent and lease movable and immovable properties needed for the activities of the Union and to establish real rights on immovable properties,
k-To establish a foundation at home and abroad, to establish a federation or to join an established federation, if deemed necessary to achieve the purpose, to establish facilities that associations can establish by obtaining the necessary permission,
l-To engage in international activities, to become a member of associations or organizations abroad and to collaborate or cooperate with these organizations,
m-To carry out joint projects with public institutions and organizations on issues within their fields of responsibility in order to achieve the goal,
n- Establishing a fund to meet the essential needs of the Union members such as food, clothing, other goods and services and short-term credit needs,
o-Opening representative offices in places deemed necessary,
p- In areas that are related to the purpose of the Union and are not prohibited by law,
To create platforms to achieve a common goal with other associations or foundations, unions and similar non-governmental organizations,
r- Conducting research to enable and develop its activities,
s)-To carry out studies on all matters related to e-communication. E Press
To cooperate or have others cooperate with any relevant institution and organization. Right to Become a Member and Membership Procedures Article 6- Adopting the Union status; Press consultants and press consultants of institutions engaged in internet publishing, NGOs and official institutions, IT experts and journalists engaged in internet journalism, lawyers, academicians or university managers or representatives who will contribute to the development of the council, sociologists, psychologists, digital publishers, software developers, service providers, IT companies, technology producers or their representatives, electronic writers (Blog writers, etc.), digital advertising companies or their representatives and digital communicators, Media Councils, Chambers and unions, Press Councils and similar organizations and their representatives can become members. Article 7- Acceptance for membership: The membership application to be made to the presidency of the union is decided by the board of directors of the union within thirty days at most, as acceptance for membership or rejection of the request, and the result is notified to the applicant via e-mail or other communication channels. The original members of the union are the founders of the union and the people who are accepted to membership by the board of directors upon their application. Individuals, institutions and organizations that have provided significant material and moral support to the Union may be accepted as honorary members by the decision of the board of directors.

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Article 8- Exit procedures are deemed to have been completed as soon as the member’s resignation petition reaches the board of directors. Resigning from membership does not end the member’s accumulated debts to the union.

Removal from Membership

Article 9

Situations requiring removal from Union membership.

1-Behaving contrary to the status of the Union,
2-Continuously avoiding assigned duties,
3- Failure to pay membership fees despite written warnings,
4- Losing the conditions for membership. If one of the above-mentioned situations is detected, the member will be removed from membership by the decision of the board of directors. Those who leave or are expelled from the union are deleted from the member registry and cannot claim rights on the union’s assets.

CHAPTER 3: UNION GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Article 10- Form of Establishment of the Union General Assembly, Meeting Time and Call and Meeting Procedure

1-The general assembly is the most authorized decision-making body of the Union; It consists of members registered with union status.

General Assembly;

a- Ordinary at the time specified in this statute,
b- In cases where the management or audit board deems necessary or the union
It meets extraordinarily within thirty days upon the written request of one third of its members.

The ordinary general assembly meets every 3 years, in October, on the day, place and time to be determined by the board of directors. The general assembly meeting is called by the board of directors. If the board of directors does not call the general assembly for a meeting; Upon the application of one of the members, the judge of peace assigns three members to call the general assembly to a meeting.

Voting and Decision-Making Procedures and Forms of the General Assembly

Article 11- In the general assembly, unless a decision is taken to the contrary, voting is done openly. In open voting, the method specified by the chairman of the general assembly is applied. In case of secret voting, the papers or ballot papers sealed by the meeting chairman are thrown into an empty container after the members have done the necessary things, and after the end of the voting, the result is determined by making a clear inventory.

a- If the general assembly authorizes the board of directors, the board of directors will work on voting in electronic environment and as a result of the studies carried out, the board of directors may decide to hold a general assembly in electronic environment.
b- General assembly decisions are taken by the absolute majority of the members attending the meeting.
However, decisions on change of status and dissolution of the association can only be taken with a two-thirds majority of the members attending the meeting.
c- Decisions taken without a meeting or call
Decisions taken with the written participation of all members electronically without coming together and decisions taken by all members of the union coming together without following the written call procedure in this status are valid. Making decisions in this way does not replace the ordinary meeting.

Duties and Powers of the General Assembly

Article 12- The following issues are discussed and decided by the general assembly.

1-Election of union bodies,
2-Changing the status of the Union,
3- Discussing the reports of the management and audit boards and acquitting the board of directors,
4- Discussing the budget prepared by the board of directors and accepting it as it is or with modifications,
5- Authorizing the board of directors to purchase immovable properties required for the Union or to sell existing immovable properties,
6- Examining and approving the regulations to be prepared by the board of directors regarding the activities of the union, either as they are or with amendments,
7- Authorizing the board of directors to determine the remuneration and all kinds of allowances, traveling allowances and compensations to be paid to the presidents and members of the Union management and audit boards who are not public officials, and the daily and travel allowance amounts to be given to the members to be assigned for Status services,
8- Deciding on whether the union will join or leave the federation,
9- The Union engages in international activities, joins or leaves associations and organizations abroad as a member,
10- The Union establishes a foundation,
11- Termination of the Union,
12-Examining and deciding on other suggestions of the board of directors,
13- Fulfilling other duties specified in the legislation by the general assembly,

Establishment, Duties and Powers of the Board of Directors

Article 13- The board of directors is elected by the general assembly as 9 principal and 9 substitute members.

At its first meeting after the election, the board of directors determines the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and member by dividing the duties with a decision.

The board of directors can be called to a meeting at any time, provided that all members are notified. It meets with the presence of one more than half of the total number of members. Decisions are taken by the absolute majority of the total number of members attending the meeting. The board of directors can hold meetings and make decisions electronically.

Duties and Powers of the Board of Directors

The board of directors fulfills the following matters.

1- Authorizing the President to represent the Union, the President may share his powers.
2-To carry out transactions regarding income and expense accounts and to prepare the budget for the next period and present it to the general assembly,
3-Preparing the regulations regarding the activities of the Association and submitting them to the general assembly for approval.
4- With the authority given by the general assembly, to purchase immovable property, sell movable and immovable property belonging to the union, have a building or facility constructed, make a rental agreement, establish a pledge, mortgage or rights in rem in favor of the union,
5-Ensuring the opening of representative offices in places deemed necessary
6-To implement the powers given and decisions taken by the general assembly,
7-To prepare the association’s operating account statement or balance sheet and income statement and the report explaining the activities of the board of directors at the end of each activity year, and to present it to the general assembly when it meets,
8-Ensuring the implementation of the budget,
9-To decide on the recruitment or removal of members from the Union.
10-To take and implement all kinds of decisions to realize the purpose of the Union or to have them implemented,
11-To perform other duties and use the powers given to him/her by the legislation,
Establishment, Duties and Powers of the Audit Board

Article 14 – The Audit Board is elected by the general assembly as three principal and three substitute members.

If there is a vacancy in the primary membership of the audit board due to resignation or other reasons, it is mandatory to call substitute members to duty in order of the majority of votes received in the general assembly. Duties and Powers of the Audit Board The audit board; It checks whether the union operates in line with the purpose and work subjects stated to be carried out to achieve the purpose stated in its statute, and whether the books, accounts and records are kept in accordance with the legislation and the union statute. It audits in accordance with other principles and procedures determined in the union statute and at intervals not exceeding one year, and presents the audit results in a report to the board of directors and the general assembly when it meets.

Supervisory board; Calls the general assembly to a meeting when necessary.

Income Sources of the Union

Article 15- The income sources of the Union are listed below.

1-Membership Fee: Members are charged 150 USD as an entrance fee and 200 USD as an annual dues. The general assembly is authorized to increase or decrease these amounts.
2-Donations and aid made voluntarily by real and legal persons to the union.
3-Income obtained from activities such as tea and dinner meetings, trips and entertainment, performances, concerts, sports competitions and conferences organized by the Union,
4-Income obtained from the assets of the Union,
5-Donations and aid to be collected in accordance with the legislative provisions on aid collection.
6-Profits obtained from the commercial activities undertaken by the Union to provide the income it needs to realize its purpose.
7-Other income.
Other bodies of the Union

Article 16: Establishment, duties and powers of UCWEP Supreme Council

1- UCWEP Supreme Board is formed by the current board of directors from among the original members. Following the formation of this Board, this board is elected by the general assembly on the date stipulated by the statute.
2- The Chairman of the Board of Directors serves as the Chairman of UCWEP Status High Council, the General Secretary of the Board of Directors, the General Secretary of UCWEP High Council, and the members of the board of directors serve as members of UCWEP Status High Council.

Article 17 – Representation

1-The Chairman of the Board of Directors represents UCWEP.
2-In the absence of the President, the Vice President, or in his absence, is represented by the Secretary General.

Article 18- UCWEP may elect any person it wishes as honorary president.

Article 19- The Supreme Board of UCWEP, appointed by the current Board of Directors, is determined by election at the first general assembly. In place of memberships that become vacant before the end of their term, the Board of Directors appoints the vacant member from among the full members to serve until the first ordinary general assembly meeting.

CHAPTER 4: DUTIES OF UCWEP HIGH BOARD

Article 20- The duties of the Supreme Council are as follows:

a- To help the E-Press to publish freely
b) To monitor and defend the accurate information of the public by monitoring whether e-publications comply with universal human rights.
c) To help news sites publishing in e-environment and press members and writers who write news in e-environment to maintain their professional practices at the level expected from a free and reputable electronic media and to seek solutions to their problems,
d- To investigate, without waiting for an application, the allegations made collectively regarding the use of e-media for immoral private interests,
To decide on the issues that one of the e-Union Board of Directors or Council members or the Secretary General wishes to be addressed, considering them to be a violation of the ‘E-Press Professional Principles’,
f- To examine the events in terms of the E-Press Professional Principles or to handle the events processed by the Council or through digital broadcasting and that are compatible with the function of the Union, without waiting for a separate application,
g- To decide on the applications of e-journalists and/or media organs whose news is reflected in the e-press, who want the situation to be examined due to an accusation that they have performed their e-journalism duties in violation of the E-Press Professional Principles,
h- To monitor and evaluate threats to society’s right to learn the truth accurately and to freedom of e-communication (E-Press) and to call the council to a meeting when necessary,
i- To decide on complaints about professional practices related to e-publication and pre-publication,
I- E From those who work in a press organ signed by the Owner or Editor-in-Chief who accepts the press principles;
a) Those who use electronic publishing for immoral private interests,
b) To request the board of directors to sever relations with the E-Press Council, if any, of those who make it a habit to insist on publications that damage the reputation of the e-press.
To authorize J-E Press organizations to represent the E Press Council in the region where they are established, under the chairmanship of the E Press Council members, and to determine and supervise their areas of duty.
k- Conducting, commissioning and publishing scientific research regarding E-Press and Digital Publishing.
L- To exercise the powers prepared by the board of directors and approved by the General Assembly.

CHAPTER 6: OTHER PROVISIONS

Article 21- The President determines, upon the recommendation of the Secretary General, the qualifications, titles and, if necessary, the salaries of the Supreme Council officials and, when necessary, the amount of payments to be made to the Council members.

a- The Secretary General may be dismissed by the board of directors upon the recommendation of the President.
b- The Secretary General is responsible for the regular functioning of the board of directors and the Supreme Council and the realization of the objectives of the Union.
Books to be Kept
1. Decision Book
2. Member Book
3. Document Registry
4. Business account Ledger
Books are kept in accordance with Article 32 of the Associations Regulation.

Internal Audit of the Union

Article 22- Internal audit may be carried out by the general assembly, board of directors or audit board, as well as independent audit firms. The fact that an audit has been carried out by the general assembly, the board of directors or independent audit firms does not eliminate the liability of the audit board.

The association is audited by the audit board at least once a year. The general assembly or the board of directors may conduct audits or have independent auditing firms carry out audits when deemed necessary. Borrowing Procedures of the Union

Article 23- The Association may borrow money with the decision of the board of directors, if necessary, in order to achieve its purpose and carry out its activities. This borrowing can be made in the purchase of goods and services on credit, or in cash. However, this borrowing cannot be made in amounts that cannot be covered by the association’s income resources or in a manner that would cause the association to have difficulty paying.

How to Change Status

Article 24- Status change can be made by the decision of the general assembly. In order to change the status at the general assembly, a 2/3 majority of the members who have the right to attend the general assembly is required. If the meeting is postponed due to lack of majority, majority is not required in the second meeting. However, the number of members attending this meeting cannot be less than twice the total number of members of the management and audit boards.

The decision majority required for a change of status is 2/3 of the votes of the members who attend the meeting and have the right to vote. At the general assembly, the status change vote is made openly. Dissolution of the Union and Method of Liquidation of Assets Article 25-The general assembly may decide to terminate the union at any time. In order for the termination issue to be discussed at the general assembly, a 2/3 majority of the members who have the right to attend the general assembly is required. If the meeting is postponed due to lack of majority, majority is not required in the second meeting. However, the number of members attending this meeting cannot be less than twice the total number of members of the management and audit boards.

The majority required for a termination decision is 2/3 of the votes of the members who attend the meeting and have the right to vote. The termination decision is voted openly at the general assembly.

Liquidation Procedures

When the general assembly decides to terminate, the money, property and rights of the association are liquidated by the liquidation board consisting of the last board members. These procedures start from the date on which the general assembly decision regarding termination is taken or the automatic termination becomes final. The phrase ‘UCWEP in Liquidation’ is used in the Status name in all transactions during the liquidation period.

The liquidation board is responsible and authorized to complete the liquidation of the association’s money, property and rights from beginning to end in accordance with the legislation. This board first examines the accounts of the association. During the examination, the association’s books, receipts, expenditure documents, title deed, bank records and other documents are determined and its assets and liabilities are recorded in a report. During the liquidation process, a call is made to the creditors of the association and their assets, if any, are converted into cash and paid to the creditors. If the association is a creditor, the receivables are collected. All money, property and rights remaining after the collection of receivables and payment of debts are transferred to the place determined at the general assembly. If the place to be transferred is not determined at the general assembly, it is transferred to the association that is closest to its purpose in the province where the association is located and has the highest number of members on the date of termination.

All transactions related to liquidation are stated in the liquidation minutes and the liquidation procedures are completed within three months, excluding additional periods given by the local administrative authorities based on a justified reason. Lack of Provision

Article 26- In matters not specified in this statute, the provisions of the Associations Law, the Turkish Civil Code, the Associations Regulation issued with reference to these Laws and other relevant legislation regarding associations shall apply. Provisional Article 1 – Until the union bodies are established in the first general assembly, the temporary board members who will represent the union and carry out the affairs and transactions related to the union are listed below.

Force:

Provisional Article 2-This statute enters into force as of the date it is approved by the Council of Ministers.