WAPC: Freedom of press under threat in Turkey
WAPC: Freedom of press under threat in Turkey
The World Association of Press Council (WAPC) remarked that the freedom of press and expression are under threat in Turkey, recording that at least 46 journalists are in prison now and over five thousand investigations have been opened about journalists and writers.
At the statement signed by WAPC Secretary General Chris Conybeare and published on WAPCs internet site, it was remarked that a number of alarming reports concerning freedom of press and expression in Turkey were handled at the Executive Council meeting in Nebal on 25 November.
Turkish government started over 5 thousand investigations about journalists and writers. At least 46 journalists were put in prisons and most of them were imprisoned without any trial or sentence said Conybeare and gave the examples of Mustafa Balbay and Tuncay Özkan.
Conybeare also stated that over 700 criminal investigations were conducted against journalists and writers, saying; The repression of government and politics gave rise to dismissal of journalists including Bekir Çoþkun. Reminding that the governmental and political repression resulted in Oktay Ekþis dismissal from Hürriyet paper, WAPC attracted attention to the tax fine of 3,5 billion dollars given to Doðan Press Group.
Besides, right to information act is not applied in Turkey or it is neglected said WAPC and added; All these sentence investigations/cases, jailing journalists and writers, prohibitory enforcements against criticizing government and using the state power to take press under repression are signs of a noninstitutionalized democracy and disregard of basic human rights. Everyone has the freedom of thought and expression; this right includes also conveying opinions without inference and trying to reach information and ideas in anyway, regardless of country borders, and freeness to get and disseminate them.
Condemning the government repression against Oktay Ekþi, WAPC recorded; Turkey has the possibility of having a bright future. However, the way being followed now is such as to push the country to darkness and to lower roles among countries.
The statement ended with following sentences; We are calling Turkish government and people to louden the democratic ideals and to give support to human rights. The release of jailed journalists and authors and a fast finalization of their judgment is in question next. After that, general well accepted penal code must be reviewed and freedom of expression must be expanded rather than restricting.
WAPC FORGOT ABOUT KURDISH MEDIA
It took attention that WAPC didnt mention anything about Kurdish and alternative media at the statement. Almost all of 46 jailed journalists are from Kurdish and alternative left media. Separately, Kurdish papers are receiving often closure ban.
Translation: Berna Özgencil
At the statement signed by WAPC Secretary General Chris Conybeare and published on WAPCs internet site, it was remarked that a number of alarming reports concerning freedom of press and expression in Turkey were handled at the Executive Council meeting in Nebal on 25 November.
Turkish government started over 5 thousand investigations about journalists and writers. At least 46 journalists were put in prisons and most of them were imprisoned without any trial or sentence said Conybeare and gave the examples of Mustafa Balbay and Tuncay Özkan.
Conybeare also stated that over 700 criminal investigations were conducted against journalists and writers, saying; The repression of government and politics gave rise to dismissal of journalists including Bekir Çoþkun. Reminding that the governmental and political repression resulted in Oktay Ekþis dismissal from Hürriyet paper, WAPC attracted attention to the tax fine of 3,5 billion dollars given to Doðan Press Group.
Besides, right to information act is not applied in Turkey or it is neglected said WAPC and added; All these sentence investigations/cases, jailing journalists and writers, prohibitory enforcements against criticizing government and using the state power to take press under repression are signs of a noninstitutionalized democracy and disregard of basic human rights. Everyone has the freedom of thought and expression; this right includes also conveying opinions without inference and trying to reach information and ideas in anyway, regardless of country borders, and freeness to get and disseminate them.
Condemning the government repression against Oktay Ekþi, WAPC recorded; Turkey has the possibility of having a bright future. However, the way being followed now is such as to push the country to darkness and to lower roles among countries.
The statement ended with following sentences; We are calling Turkish government and people to louden the democratic ideals and to give support to human rights. The release of jailed journalists and authors and a fast finalization of their judgment is in question next. After that, general well accepted penal code must be reviewed and freedom of expression must be expanded rather than restricting.
WAPC FORGOT ABOUT KURDISH MEDIA
It took attention that WAPC didnt mention anything about Kurdish and alternative media at the statement. Almost all of 46 jailed journalists are from Kurdish and alternative left media. Separately, Kurdish papers are receiving often closure ban.
Translation: Berna Özgencil
