Journalists in Turkey : Press is jailed in Turkey

2017-05-02 09:59:50

İSTANBUL – Workers of closed media outlets by decree says World Free Press Day on May 3 is just remained at the calendar in Turkey. “ freedom of expression and press are in prison in Turkey” said press workers.

 May 3 was declared as The World Free Press Day by United Nations (UN) on May 3 of 1993. Hundreds media outlets included Dicle News Agency (DİHA), Women News Agency (JINHA), Özgür Gündem Newspaper, IMC TV were closed by decrees since State of Emergency began. According to Free Journalist Union ( ÖGC) data, 168 ; According to Journalist Union of Turkey ( TGC), 159 journalists are imprisoned now. Also according to Freedom House report Turkey placed  at the list of “ not freedom country” category.

Pir News (PİRHA) director Turabi Kişin “ There is nothing about democracy in Turkey because there is no freedom of press. After State of Emergency was declared The media outlets which were voices of Kurds, women, Alevis were closed by decrees and journalists are kept in jail. Turkey was transformed to a prison. There may not be all journalists are in prison but the ones who are not in prison can’t express their opinions. Also There were no such as numbers journalists in prison even after coup 12 September of 1980” said.

Kişin also thinks failed coup attempt of July 15 was ‘controlled coup’. “ After coup attempt TV10 which Alevis could open through  their own  means. Yet any reason wasn’t informed to us why TV10 was closed. Our workers was left unemployed for months. TV10 was the only channel of Alevis society and by closing the channel, Alevis left without freedom of receive information” said Kişin.

 Reporter of Şûjîn News Rojda Oğuz spoke about closed first women agency JİNHA which was established on March 8 of 2012. Oğuz “ JINHA was symbol of Kurdish women against masculine media outlets. We were closed and targeted because we voiced perspicuously women’s problem both in Kurdistan and Turkey. Free journalism can’t conducted in Turkey because of lacking democracy. Most of our reporters are kept in jail, are taken into custody, battered” said.

Editor of Özgürlükçü Demokrasi ( Libertarian Democracy) Reyhan Hacıoğlu says the Day of World Free Press Day remained just on the calendar on Turkey. “ Freedom of press isn’t secured in Turkey yet. Numbers journalist are kept in prison and also numbers media outlets were closed unlawfully. So there is no any possibility to speak about freedom of press in Turkey. Therefore the Day of World Free Press Day remained just on the calendar in Turkey” said Hacıoğlu.