Ebubekir Şahin, Turkish bureaucrat and communications manager. Since 2019, he has served as President of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK). Şahin, who has held various positions in media governance, oversight and communication policies, has played a significant role in shaping visual and auditory media regulations in Türkiye.

Ebubekir Şahin (Source: Ebubekir Şahin official website)

Life and Education

Ebubekir Şahin was born in 1974 in Çayeli district of Rize. He completed his primary education in Rize and his secondary education in Sakarya. In 1995, he graduated from the Department of Public Relations and Promotion at the Faculty of Communication, Gazi University. He completed his postgraduate education in 2002 at Gazi University in the Department of Journalism.

Şahin applied the theoretical knowledge gained during his education to practical roles in various public institutions, establishing himself as a prominent figure in Türkiye in the fields of media regulation and communication management through his work in communication.

Career

Şahin began his professional career with various positions in public institutions, serving in managerial roles at the Ministry of Interior, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM), the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, RTÜK and the Prime Ministry like across multiple state institutions. Between 2002 and 2007, he served as Special Advisor and Press Secretary to Minister Cemil Flower. From 2007 to 2008, he worked as Director of the General Directorate of European Union Affairs at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In 2008, he assumed the position of Special Chief of Staff to then Minister Zafer Çağlayan within the same ministry. Between 2008 and 2011, he served as Advisor to the Supreme Council of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK).

In 2011, he was appointed as General Director Advisor at the Prime Ministry’s Directorate of Public Relations. In the same year, Şahin joined the Anadolu Agency, where he served as Director of the Finance and Administrative Affairs Directorate from 2011 to 2012, Deputy General Manager from 2012 to 2015, and Acting General Manager in 2015. From 2015 to 2016, he served as Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, and from 2016 to 2017 as Undersecretary.

Under Article 35 of Law No. 6112 on the Establishment and Broadcasting Services of Radio and Television, Şahin was elected as a Member of RTÜK during the 8th Session of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on 16 October 2017. On 23 January 2019, he was appointed President of RTÜK by a vote of the Supreme Council, and was re-elected to this position on 25 January 2021 and 25 January 2023. Şahin, who was re-elected as an RTÜK Member by the TBMM General Assembly on 10 October 2023, was again elected President of RTÜK on 18 October 2023 following a vote by the Supreme Council, marking his fourth term in this role.

International Engagement and Representation Activities

During his presidency of RTÜK, Ebubekir Şahin has actively engaged not only at the national level but also on international platforms. He has established contacts with international media and communication organizations such as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU), and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), contributing to the global promotion of Türkiye’s media policies.

In this context, he has participated in international conference, forums and workshops, sharing Türkiye’s experiences in visual and auditory media regulation and delivering speeches on themes such as media ethics, digitalization and content oversight. Additionally, he has contributed to the preparation of various bilateral protocols aimed at enhancing media cooperation with countries of the Turkish world. Şahin’s efforts represent significant steps toward sharing Türkiye’s media regulatory experience internationally.

Academic and Professional Memberships

In addition to his roles in public bureaucracy, Ebubekir Şahin has been actively involved in academic and professional activities in the field of communication. Due to his expertise in public administration and media oversight, he has served as a speaker at panels, seminars and workshops organized by various universities, sharing insights on media policies, public relations and public communication on information.

Professionally, he has strengthened his practical experience in the media sector through managerial positions at institutions such as the Anadolu Agency and RTÜK.

Awards and Recognition Certificates

Ebubekir Şahin has been honored by various institution and organizations for his work in media and communication. These awards recognize his contributions to public broadcasting, media ethics and communication policies.

MESAM Honorary Award (2024)

At the 38th anniversary ceremony organized by the Turkish Association of Music Works Owners (MESAM) in 2024, Ebubekir Şahin was presented with the honor award during the event themed “Gazzeli Children.” The award was conferred by artist Orhan Gencebay, and Şahin stated that he dedicated this honor to all Gazzeli children and other world children.

Golden Career Award (2023)

In 2023, at an event organized by the Faculty of Communication at Ege University, Ebubekir Şahin was awarded the “Golden Career” in recognition of his career in communication and his contributions to the media sector.