Mehmet Ali Birand, a world-renowned journal chief news editor of private channel Kanal D, died yesterday at the age of 72 due to cardiac arrest.

Mehmet Ali Birand underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in order to replace a stent at the American Hospital in Istanbul on Jan. 16 and had been placed in intensive care due to complications.

A funeral service will be held for Birand at Teşvikiye Mosque tomorrow.

“We think that he did not feel much pain because it was a simpe operation,” Birand’s son, Umur Birand, told reporters in front of the hospital. “He was making arrangements with CNN executive Süleyman  Sarılar for his TV program next Tuesday.”

“The Turkish media has lost a big journalist, both the press and television,” Doğan Holding Honorary Chairman Aydın Doğan said in a televised interview. “He had a great excitement, success and ability. He is irreplaceable.”

Doğan TV Holding Chairwoman Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ said they worked together for a long time without any problems.

“I feel sorrow like millions of people,” she said.

 Who is Mehmet Al Birand

He was born to İzzet and his wife Mürvet on 9 December 1941 in Beyoglu, Istanbul. He completed his high school education at Galatasaray High School In November 2012,

Birand began his journalistic career in 1964 by writing in the newspaper Milliyet. In 1992, he joined Show TV and presented the news.

Mehmet Al Birand began hosting a political show titled The 32nd Day, which was first on TRT in 1985 and then moved to other private TV channels as CNN Türk and SHOW TV. He also presented the daily news on CNN Türk.

Before his death in 2013, he worked at Kanal D, hosting the news.

He also authored several books including 30 Sıcak Gün, Diyet, Türkiye’nin Avrupa Macerası, 12 Eylül 04.00 and Emret Komutanım.

M. Ali Birand was also a member of Galatasaray’s board and uncommitted governance council

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