Journalists Organize Despite Entanglement

Three journalists have been fired at Merkez Media Group, which had been confiscated by the public fund in April. Turkeys Journalists Union reacted to the action as a threat aimed at violating workers right to organize.

İstanbul

Three journalists working at the Merkez Media Group -which includes the Sabah daily and ATV- and have been fired while Turkey's Journalists' Union (TGS) speeds its organizational efforts at the premises.

The Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) had seized the Group in April, as a secret partnership between its former and current owners surfaced. As of know, the TMSF is legally bound as employer for workers contracted to the group.

TGS claimed that the recent firings constitute a breach of Turkish Criminal law, as it's aimed at intervening with the right to organize.

Sabah editor Cengiz Erdinç and ATV reporters Ozan Pezek and Burak Ersemiz were left unemployed on claims of "low performance".

TGS lawyer Güven Ergin told bianet that they would file complaints against the directors who administrated the firings.

Claims of "low performance" should be based on concrete evidence, he said and added that will demand the restitution of posts for the three journalists.

Furthermore, TGS chair Ercan İpekçi condemned the threats by the media group's directors which claimed that they have the names of those who inscribed to the union, implying they would also be sacked.

The union noted that its efforts to organize at the media group in questioned gained momentum following the change of administrative structure.

On the other hand, TMSF chair Ahmet Ertürk said he has no knowledge of the firings and objected to any efforts to disorganize the workers.

TMSF confiscated 63 firms belonging to the Merkez Media Group on April 3. The fund plans to sell the group and seize the amount given as payment for its owner's public debts.(TK/EÜ)