Turkish Armed Forces Don’t Let All Media Watch

For the annual evaluation speech of Chief of General Staff İlker Başbuğ, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) invited some media organs that had been excluded before.

Thus, Star newspaper journalist Mustafa Karaalioğlu, Sabah newspaper journalist Erdal Şafak, Yeni Şafak newspaper journalist Fehmi Koru were among those going to the event at the War Academies Command for the first time.

In addition, several other journalists known for their criticism of the TAF’s interference in political life were also present: Mehmet Altan (Star), Hasan Cemal (Milliyet newspaper), and Ali Bayramoğlu (Yeni Şafak).

However, like in the past, no representatives of the Birgün, Günlük Evrensel, Taraf, Zaman, Vakit and Günlük newspapers or Hayat TV were invited.

In an article entitled “Turkish Media in Military Environment”, published in Hürriyet newspaper on Wednesday, 15th April, Ahmet Hakan wrote that there was an embargo on the Taraf, Zaman and Vakit newspapers. (EÖ/AG)