Fatherhood Newspaper

Babalık is a prominent and long-running Turkish newspaper published in Konya between 1910 and 1952. It played a significant role in Konya’s press history and contributed to the development of many writers. The newspaper was first issued on 23 December 1910 by Yusuf Mazhar (Babalık) Bey, the son of Bosnian Nedim Bey. Yusuf Mazhar Bey was born in Isparta/Yalvaç and completed his education in Konya, where he served as a teacher, employee of the Ziraat Bank, and member of the municipal and provincial administrative councils. After working for a time at the Konya newspaper, he founded his own publication, Babalık.

The newspaper’s name was given by the governor of Konya, Arif Paşa. Initially printed at the Konya Vilâyet Matbaası, it was later published successively at the Rehber and Meşrik-i İrfan printing houses, before the Babalık Matbaası was established. The editorial staff included Ali Haydar, Emin Hami, Mehmet Muhlis, Kâmil Bedri, Abdullah Cevdet, Ferit Uğur, Bahri Koru, Mehmet Ali and Osman Gündüz bey.

Under the influence of Yusuf Mazhar Bey, the newspaper adopted a constitutionalist and liberal editorial line. On 29 June 1914, it was permanently closed by decision of the Ministry of Interior and the Council of Ministers on the grounds that it had published content critical of Mevlâna.

Türk Sözü Period (1917–1918)

The period from 11 June 1917 to 30 October 1918 is regarded as the second phase of Babalık. During the First World War, at the request of Konya governor Muammer Bey, the newspaper resumed publication under the name Türk Sözü. The reason for adopting this new name was explained as the perceived lack of sincerity in the name Babalık and the desire for a title that would reflect the sentiments of a region like Konya, situated in the heartland of Turkishness and free from the connotation of an adopted child. This name was adopted on the recommendation of Governor Muammer Bey. A total of 76 issues of Türk Sözü were published, with Rum Viyolaki as the responsible manager and Süleyman Necati bey as chief editor. It appeared three days a week with four pages, though page count and publication intervals varied due to wartime conditions.

Süleyman Necati bey, the chief editor, was the director of the Konya İttihat ve Terakkî School and a member of the Committee of Union and Progress. Other writers on the staff were also affiliated with this society and with the journal Ocak, published by the Turkish Hearth. The newspaper promoted the construction of Turkish consciousness, notably striving to instill a national identity in the Turkish language. It covered foreign policy, economics, social issues and especially provincial news. The activities of Governor Muammer Bey and the Konya Committee of Union and Progress Club were closely followed. Shortly after Muammer Bey’s transfer to Sivas, the newspaper resumed publication under its original name, Babalık.

Babalık During the National Struggle Years

This period is regarded as the brightest era in the newspaper’s history. In Mehmet Önder’s classification, it also constitutes the third phase (1918–1930). The chief editors during this time were Samizâde Süreyyâ and administrative manager Ahibabazâde Yusuf Ziya bey. Later, owner Yusuf Mazhar Bey also served as chief editor. The editorial staff included prominent figures such as Ekrem Reşat, Yakup Kadri, Reşat Nuri, Namdar Rahmi, Saadettin Nüzhet, Enver Behnan Şapolyo, Server İskit, Feridun Nâfiz and Abdülkadir bey.

Beneath the headline, the newspaper carried the slogan "A daily Turkish newspaper" and was priced at five kuruş.

From 1921 onward, it became a daily newspaper and emerged as one of the most important publication organs not only of Konya but of Anatolia as a whole, openly supporting the National Struggle. Throughout the National Struggle, it rapidly informed the public of victories from the front and disseminated orders and opinions received from Ankara. It was among the strongest supporters of the Western Front not only through its news coverage but also through proclamations printed in its own press. Thanks to its two Romanian typesetters and Romanian alphabet sets, it also printed leaflets intended for distribution to the Greek side. For these services, the Commander of the Western Front, İsmet Paşa, described it as "a loyal friend of the Western Front". Mustafa Kemal Paşa also visited the newspaper during his visit to Konya.

After the proclamation of the Republic, it continued publishing in support of the reforms. It played a vital role in explaining the Republic and its reforms to the public. Between 1926 and 1928, it published 700 weekly issues at a price of 2.5 kuruş. After the alphabet reform of 1928, it began publication in Latin letters. During this period, in addition to Samizade Süreyya Bey, Muzaffer Hamid and Ali Baki Hüsnü also served as chief editors. The newspaper’s owner, Yusuf Mazhar Bey, constructed a new building in 1930 to relocate his printing press but died shortly afterward on 5 September 1930. After his death, the newspaper was continued by his wife Nedime Babalık and their daughters.

Later Periods (1930–1952)

During these years, Babalık was published twice a week.

After 1935, it survived thanks to the efforts of Yusuf Mazhar Bey’s brother-in-law, Afif Evren.

Its content weakened considerably during this period. Writers included Ziya Çalık, Şehabettin Uzluk, Feridun Nafiz Uzluk, Naci Fikret Baştak, Hamdi Ragıp Atademir and Saadettin Nüzhet Ergun.

Final Period

Between 1946 and 1952, it was published three days a week with two to four pages. From 1949 onward, it resumed daily publication. To remain viable, it distanced itself from political reporting and focused exclusively on news and commercial advertisements. It continued publishing until 1952 but ceased operations due to its inability to secure official announcements or advertising revenue.