Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) President Uğur Güç evaluated the AKP’s closure of opposition TV channels and radio stations to ANF, and said that the AKP government is trying to become an absolute power through its crackdown on opposition voices. Güç emphasized that organized struggle and solidarity is the only stance against censorship and oppression, and the whole world would demand freedom for the journalists in Turkey on October 5, 2016.

'SOUNDS OF AN ABSOLUTE POWER’S FOOTSTEPS'

Objection to the AKP government’s decree laws closing down 12 TV channels and 11 radio stations including Hayatın Sesi, TV 10, Zarok TV, Jiyan TV, TV 10 and İMC TV grows. TGS President Uğur Güç stated that Kurdish, Alevi, socialist and opposition voices are attacked through a witch-hunt seemingly targeting the followers of Fethullah Gülen. Güç noted that the AKP government does not tolerate any voice other than its own, and has been trying to become the absolute power in Turkey. Güç added that the AKP’s attempts to control the media are the sounds of an absolute power’s footsteps.

‘WE MUST PUT AN END TO THIS’

Güç stated that journalists must realize the danger and those that are silent in order to not lose their jobs were not exempt from the dangers that surround journalists. Güç described organized struggle and solidarity as the only stance against censorship and oppression, and warned that closures could also target other newspapers in the future. Güç recalled the rumors on the closures of opposition newspapers Evrensel, Birgün, Sözcü and Cumhuriyet in the aftermath of Özgür Gündem’s closure, and called upon everyone to put an end to this period of silencing all voices other than the voice of the AKP. He warned that a monist media could further polarize the society, and people should stand up for their right to receive news other than those that propagate for the AKP.

‘ONE IS NO BETTER THAN THE OTHER’

Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) President Güç highlighted that Fethullah Gülen movement and the AKP government both have a history of jailing journalists, and share the same ideology despite the quarrel between them. He said “one is no better than the other, and both will continue to oppress opposition. Arrests may increase and get violent. After the coup attempt, the AKP had two choices. It would either seek acceptance among liberal and democratic groups and develop democracy and unity, or strengthen its own power through becoming more authoritarian. It chose the second path and is leading the country to autocracy.”

‘WHOLE WORLD WILL SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH THE JOURNALISTS IN TURKEY ON OCTOBER 5’

Güç underlined that the AKP government carried out the actual coup, but would not be able to silence and censor the free press. He recalled that they organized the TGS against oppression, and would carry out a social media campaign led by the International Journalists Federation on September 5, 2016 in order to demand freedom for the journalists in Turkey. Lastly, Güç stated that they would continue their struggle and organize protests on the streets and in front of prisons.