Reactions by Journalism, Freedom of Speech Organizations against Arrests

Arrest of Cumhuriyet daily Chief Editor Can Dündar and Ankara Representative Erdem Gül for MİT trucks news has drawn reactions from Journalism trade bodies and freedom of expression defenders.

CLICK - JOURNALISTS CAN DÜNDAR, ERDEM GÜL ARRESTED

Press Institute (IPI Turkey), Press Council, Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK) Press Labor, Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS), Journalists’ Association of Turkey (TGC), Journalists’ Federation of Turkey (TGF) and Writers’ Trade Union of Turkey (TYS) have criticized the verdict in separate statements.

IPI Turkey: Journalism arrested

“Two journalists are being charged with procuring information which have to remain confidential for security of state for political and military espionage in addition to membership of terror organization.

“Looking after political benefit is profession of politicians, not journalists. Looking out for public interest by procuring and sharing information is exactly task of journalists.

“We, as journalists, side by Dündar and Gül who do journalism”.

Press Council: Journalism arrested

“Tonight, in fact, free news and people’s right to receive information was arrested, not journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül.

“Even though facts, understanding of law and democracy are being sent behind the bars, power of pencil and though cannot be hindered. Law cannot be overlooked; otherwise it will be eclipse of reason”.

DİSK Press Labor: An effort to cover up crime

“In the ‘advanced democracy’ country, another two journalists were put behind the bars. We didn’t surprise, it was obvious because of President Erdoğan’s statement. This is an effort to cover up their crime”.

TGF: An unfortunate decision

“What is essential in democracies is to try writers, journalists, drawers who are judged for the thoughts they express in a fair and independent legal system. Only a just trial may determine whether an article, photo, comment or any sort of writing published constitutes a crime.

“However, the crimes attributed to Dündar and Gül are controversial since protecting state secrets is duty of state itself, not journalists. Therefore, the arrest warrant in subject is controversial and that it blows a huge deal on freedom of the press and expression”.

TGC and TGS: It contrary to the constitution and ECHR

“Our colleagues Can Dündar and Erdem Gül being sent to the court for arrest is contrary to both the constitution and ECHR (European Court of Human Rights). Publishing the news in question is duty of a journalist. A journalist’s mission is not to protect state’s interests. The authorities to protect the interests are designated in our constitution.

“We urge the government to start reforms to remove the obstacles before freedom of the press and expression”.

TYS: A disgrace in history of democracy

“These arrest will be a disgrace not only in our history of the press, but also in history of law and democracy. In a country in which the President directs judiciary by his anger to ‘make them pay for it’, has the journalists arrested, speaking of justice and judicial independence is impossible”. (EA/TK)

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