Public backlash continues against the arrest of TELE 1 Editor-in-Chief and BirGün Newspaper columnist Merdan Yanardağ over the allegation of "terror propaganda" for speaking about the ongoing isolation against Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in the İmralı F Type High Security Prison. In an interview with ANF, DİSK (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions) Press Section Chair Faruk Eren emphasized that the government sought to intimidate all journalists with the arrest of Yanardağ.

‘TURKEY IS A HUGE PRISON FOR JOURNALISTS’

Eren stated that Turkey has turned into a huge prison for journalists, adding that yet another journalist was arrested for his professional activities. Remarking that Merdan Yanardağ was arrested because he did not show obedience to the government, Eren said: “What Merdan Yanardag said in his television program can be treated with the scope of freedom of press and expression as he advocates human rights. Those who could not tolerate Yanardag's attitude during and after the last elections have launched a smear campaign against him, citing the books he wrote and his latest anti-government criticism. Another colleague of ours has thus been put in prison after an unlawful arrest.”

'JOURNALISTS DO THEIR JOB DESPITE CRACKDOWN'

Eren emphasized that by arresting Yanardağ, the government sought to intimidate all journalists. He recalled that journalists in Turkey were subjected to similar acts of intimidation and the government tried to criminalize journalists’ professional activities in the KCK, Cumhuriyet and Özgür Gündem trials. However, journalists have taken no step back, he said, pointing out that despite the crackdown on press and freedom of expression, journalists continued to report on behalf of the public, which disturbed the government.

'TO PROTECT YANARDAG IS TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF PRESS AND EXPRESSION!'

Eren underlined that, unfortunately, there were journalists who took a step back for fear of losing their jobs in the face of these pressures. He criticized that there were only very few journalists who came in front of the Çağlayan Courthouse to support Yanardağ. He insisted that protecting Yanardağ means protecting the freedom of the press and expression.

‘JOURNALISTS ARE NOT ORGANIZED’

“Unfortunately, journalists in Turkey are not organized. They do not join a union for fear of losing their jobs and they do not seek their rights. In the past, solidarity was much stronger, but it has diminished gradually,” he said.

‘CITIZENS SHOULD EMBRACE JOURNALISTS AND DEMOCRACY’

Eren continued: “Journalists are doing everything they can for the public's right to information. They risk being arrested, they are beaten while working in the field, they are taken into custody, but they do not give up. What else should journalists do? The important thing here is that the citizens should embrace journalists, their right to obtain information and democracy.”

‘GOVERNMENT DOOMED TO FAILURE!’

Eren concluded: “The government puts pressure on journalists because it wants to inform society only through pro-government statements. But we insist that this will not work. Yes, we have been living without democracy for a very long time, but the government is doomed to failure. Despite everything, democracy and peace will eventually prevail.”