Famous Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birand has died on Thursday, CNN Turk TV channel reported. Earlier on Thursday the Turkish media has already reported that Mehmet Ali Birand has died on Thursday at the age of 72 at the hospital where he underwent a surgery. But later the hospital where the journalist was operated on denied information about his death.
It was reported that the death was caused by deterioration in his state of health state during a gallbladder operation.
Mehmet Ali Birand (9 December 1941 in Beyoğlu, İstanbul - 17 January 2013 in İstanbul) was a liberal Turkish journalist, political commentator and writer.
He was born to İzzet and his wife Mürvet on December 9, 1941 in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. He completed his high school education at Galatasaray High School.
Birand began his journalistic career 1964 by writing in the newspaper Milliyet. In 1992, he joined Show TV and presented the news. Birand began hosting a political show titled The 32nd Day, which was first on Show TV and then moved to CNN Türk. He also presented the daily news on CNN Türk. He worked at Kanal D, where he was hosting the news.
He is also the author of several books including 30 Sıcak Gün, Diyet, Türkiye'nin Avrupa Macerası, 12 Eylül 04.00 and Emret Komutanım.
Birand is also member of Galatasaray's board and uncommitted governance council.
In November 2012, Mehmet Ali Birand found his Kurdish roots after years believing he was a Turk, he said at a Turkish TV-show. His ancestors are from Palu, Elazığ.