Our Principles of Publishing

We are authors, publishers, editors, translators, illustrators, artists, publishing agents, and all employees of the publishing industry. We work either as corporate employees or freelance in collaboration and interaction with our stakeholders that are bookstores, distributors, printing presses, e-commerce companies, digital solutions companies. Our publications reach every segment of society and readers of all ages with the help of critics, academics, educators, librarians, and media workers.

1. Our Approach to Publishing

1. We take diversity and inclusion defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as our baseline. We hold and respect that all individuals are equal in terms of race, color, ethnic origins, age, religion, beliefs, disability status, gender, sexual identity and sexual orientation.
2. We hold that every individual has the freedom of opinion and expression as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that this right encompasses the freedom to reach, acquire and disseminate information, opinions, and intellectual work universally without restrictions by national borders.
3. In publishing, we follow universal standards, literary, artistic, scientific, and educational qualifications. We take pluralism, competence, and originality as our guidelines in all categories and genres.
4. We fight against illegal practices such as copyrights abuses, printing and distribution of pirated books, and plagiarism; we respect copyrights.
5. We aim to contribute quality and lasting works to our cultural heritage, and to improve our reading culture multifacetedly.
6. We work to ensure that all children, the youth, adults, the elderly and disabled individuals have the right to choose, reach, acquire and read any book they want.
7. We do not use narrow-minded, racist, defamatory, insulting expressions; we do not include hate speech, and do not use language that would damage the reputation of individuals, institutions, or books.
8. We care about the enrichment of language as a living phenomenon, and defend the right to publish, read and write in one’s native language.
9. We stand against criminal investigation and trial of publishers, authors, and translators for all kinds of visual and audio content that they produce as a result of their professional activities, as well as the recall, ban and destruction of books.
10. We assume legal responsibility as an institution in case our freelance contributors such as editors, translators, and illustrators face criminal investigation based on the work they have done as per their contract.
11. We put emphasis on age-appropriate, quality content in children’s books; we expose rare bad examples through our criticism and oppose the use of such examples as an excuse to institute general censorship mechanisms.  
12. We take the necessary initiatives for the scientific collection and processing of data from the publishing industry in current or future databases, and we follow them.
13. We sensitively handle individuals’ temporary or permanent biological processes and special conditions such as pregnancy, maternity, paternity, aging, and disability; we ensure that they do not experience discrimination, bad conduct or disrespect, and that their reputation is not harmed.
14. We act with sensitivity towards the environment, animals, and wildlife; we aim to minimize the carbon footprint of the publishing industry and take necessary measures to increase energy efficiency and recycling in our offices.

• Our Principles of Professional Conduct

1. We take professional communication as our guiding principle both within our institutions and with people and organizations outside our institutions; we apply self-monitoring mechanisms and constantly improve our institutional and individual conduct.
2. We adopt mature behavior appropriate for professional life in all formal or informal spaces where we are in communication and interaction with each other such as offices, bookstores, book fairs, professional associations, organizations, online or face-to-face events.
3. We take solidarity as our guiding principle in resolving the conflicts that arise between publishers.
4. We do not put pressure on any individual or institution to collaborate with us for any reason; we do not cause unfair competition through our activities, and we respect the trade secrets and privacy of companies.
5. We ensure and monitor work safety in all our spaces such as offices, warehouses, and distribution channels.
6. We do not hinder employees’ rights; we respect their rights and freedoms, and we create opportunities for professional development and support them.
7. We treat freelance colleagues such as translators, illustrators, and editors in compliance with their contracts, and we defend their rights.
8. We work to create, improve, and enhance the working conditions of our disabled employees.
9. We target equal opportunity and the active participation of more women and LGBTI individuals in work force; we stand against all kinds of violence, discrimination, abuse, and harassment.
10. We do not allow the misuse of managerial positions, racism, sexual harassment, mobbing, intimidation, suppression, terrorization, favoritism; we do not overlook if any employee loses their job due to such reasons and we make merit-based decisions.
11. We maintain the required distance demanded by professional collaboration; we never engage in personal or sexual suggestions, suggestive commentary or behavior, and we avoid physical contact.
12. We do not make assumptions based on individuals’ lifestyles, areas of interests, or skill level; we protect their rights and respect them. We ensure that they feel secure and appreciated and we protect their confidentiality and creativity.
13. We give every individual the support they need; we ensure that they are not isolated or otherized at work and that they are able to get their voices heard.  
14. We respect each person’s right to vocalize their complaints if an attitude or behavior makes them uncomfortable and to request the immediate ending of that behavior. We prioritize listening to the individuals who have experienced bad conduct and we take them seriously.
15. We prioritize supporting people who work in the publishing industry both in their legal procedures and in their work life if they experience domestic violence or any kind of social violence.
16. We establish guidelines that outline our institutional culture, and we expect our employees to act in accordance with their job descriptions.
17. We respect the institutional culture of people and institutions we collaborate with, and we make sure that they respect our institutional culture.

These guidelines prepared by Turkish Publishers Association are open to revision.

June 2021