TGC 2016 Freedom of Press Awards Granted to their Winners

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The Freedom of Press Awards, granted by the Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) once every year since 1989 to underline the importance of press freedom, were handed over to their winners in a ceremony attended by 500 guests yesterday (August 18) evening in Marmara Hotel in Taksim.

The ceremony which used to be held on July 24 every year, was postponed to 18 August because of the coup attempt on July 15.

 The President of the TGC Turgay Olcayto in his opening speech said “I have decided not to use the word ‘tough days’ anymore. Because whenever I use it, we are faced with tougher ones” and added that the democracy should work again after getting over the coup attempt.

Three individuals and an organization receive prize

This year, the awards were granted to IMC TV cameraperson Refik Tekin, academic Prof. Dr. Yaman Akdeniz from İstanbul Bilgi University Faculty of Law and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kerem Altıparmak from Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences in the individuals category, and to the Coalition of International Freedom of Press Organisations in the foundations category.

In the foundations category, the Coalition of International Freedom of Press Organisations has received the award.

Dedicated to Academics for Peace and Özgür Gündem

Prof. Dr. Yaman Akdeniz from İstanbul Bilgi University Faculty of Law and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kerem Altıparmak from Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences were rewarded for their legal struggle against rights violations in terms of press freedom on the internet and social media.

Attorney Altan Akdeniz has received the award on behalf of Akdeniz.

Prof. Dr. Kerem Altıparmak, who received his award from TGC President Turgay Olcayto, said:

Various websites including those which belong to newspapers and journalists are being blocked. And we insistently oppose [to the block offs] and apply to the Constitutional Court. Our claim is that alternative reporting is not just a right of those who deliver the news but also of those who receive it. Now also academics share the same destiny with press members. I dedicate this award to the Academics For Peace”.

Yaman Akdeniz dedicated his award to the closed down Özgür Gündem daily that was raided and had its employers taken into custody by police. (AS/DG)