German Journalists’ Association warns against travel to Turkey

The German Journalists’ Association warns journalists and bloggers against travel to Turkey.

The German Association of Journalists (DJV) warned journalists and bloggers against travel to Turkey. A private holiday could become a bad trap, said DJV chairman Frank Überall in Berlin.

Journalists should take "special care" in their private vacation planning and check whether they commented on the political developments in Turkey in their reports as well as on the social media. If in doubt, they should opt for another destination, said the DJV.

The German Foreign Office had also warned against travel to Turkey.

The warning came after German citizen Adnan Sütçü was arrested last week on his arrival in Turkey. The authorities accuse Sütçü of anti-state Facebook posts.

According to the DJV, Turkey initiated legal action against 18,000 people for the same reason last year.