A CNN Travel article featuring the historic Panagia Sumela Monastery in Turkey has drawn sharp criticism from Pontic Greek communities worldwide. Published on September 14, 2024, coinciding with the commemoration of the Pontic Greek genocide, the article is accused of perpetuating historical inaccuracies and serving as a platform for Turkish propaganda, particularly concerning the treatment of Orthodox Christians in Turkey.

The article’s sponsorship by the Turkish government, openly acknowledged in a disclaimer, has further fueled outrage. Critics, including the Pan-Pontian Federation of the USA and Canada, argue that this financial influence has compromised journalistic integrity, resulting in a skewed narrative that downplays the historical oppression faced by Pontic Greeks.
Key points of contention raised by the Federation and other critics include:
- Inaccurate historical claims: The article allegedly misrepresents the history of Panagia Sumela, suggesting it was founded under Ottoman rule, while historical evidence points to its establishment by Athenian monks centuries earlier during the reign of a Greek Emperor.
- Glossing over forced conversions and persecution: The article’s portrayal of religious tolerance under Ottoman rule is challenged by critics who point to the systematic persecution and forced conversion of Greeks to Islam, contradicting the article’s claim of voluntary conversion to Crypto-Christianity.
- Omitting recent restrictions on religious freedom: Despite the monastery’s reopening in 2020, the article fails to mention the Turkish government’s repeated bans on Orthodox worship services at Panagia Sumela in recent years, highlighting ongoing religious suppression.
- Ignoring the broader context of religious discrimination: Critics argue that the article neglects the systematic destruction and conversion of Orthodox churches in Turkey, presenting a sanitized version of religious freedom in the country.
- Disregarding Turkish government’s role in the genocide: The article’s publication date, coinciding with the anniversary of the Smyrna massacre, amplifies the insensitivity of its omission of the Turkish government’s role in the genocide of Pontic Greeks and other Christian minorities.
The Pan-Pontian Federation has demanded a retraction of the article, accusing CNN of complicity in whitewashing Turkey’s history of religious persecution and cultural destruction.
This controversy underscores the responsibility of media outlets to ensure historical accuracy and avoid promoting propaganda, particularly when covering sensitive cultural and religious sites. The incident serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of historical trauma and the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice by marginalized communities.