TTB: 'Saying 'we can now beat the doctors' is clear abetment'

Click to read the article in Turkish

In a street interview by a Youtube channel called Mikrofondasın realized in Samsun, a voter supporting the Justice and Development Party (AKP), praised the increasing violence against physicians in the AKP period. 

Turkish Medical Association (TTB) made an announcement about the street interview broadcast by the Youtube channel and stated that they would be making a criminal complaint against it. 

In the interview, the pro-government voter had said, "25 years ago, doctors used to scold us. Now we can disfavor the doctors and beat them. We are so comfortable."

"This is not journalism"

"The owner of the channel and the commenter who joins those who become famous for one day may be complacent. However, those who create this atmosphere that poisons people's minds, are in fact the abettors of all attacks toward the doctors," reads the statement made by TTB.

The statement pointed out that the identity of the account holder was not given for the related Youtube channel, and cited how the channel described itself.

Mikrofondasın Youtube channel presenter says, when introducing the channel,  "Watch how impartial broadcasting can be done. Since the elections are on our agenda, I am carrying out election surveys on my own now in Samsun where I am at the moment. 

"I want everyone to see how respectful and impartial journalism, without adding any comments, can be done related to the elections," 

TTB said in its statement, "Although this has been said, it is clear that what has been done is not journalism or broadcasting. The principles and guiding rules of journalism require that you should be against violence, an invitation to violence, or provocations to this end." 

"Doctors in Turkey are already under threat. Attacks took place in three cities within a few days. Turkish Medical Association is standing behind the doctors," the statement further said. 

TTB announced that they would be making a criminal complaint against those who committed these crimes and those who provoke such crimes. "We invite the owner of the channel to apologize from all doctors, those concerned to leave aside hate speech, and the authorities to carry out their duties," the statement by the Turkish Medical Association said in conclusion. (RT/PE)