'Enough is enough, stop attacks on journalists!'

Still image from security camera footage showing the assailant in Bursa.

Click to read the article in Turkish

Following the killing of a radio journalist by a listener, the Journalists' Union of Turkey (TGS) has released a statement, calling on the government to take action against attacks on journalists.

Hazım Özsu, a local radio presenter in the northwestern province of Bursa, was shot dead by a listener on March 9. The incident was reported yesterday (March 16), after the assailant was nabbed by police.

The assailant said he killed the journalist because he "didn't like" his commentary of the coronavirus pandemic.

This was the ninth attack on journalists this year, the TGS noted in its statement, saying that the common point of all assaults was that they were not condemned by the government.

The government's responsibility

No effective investigations were carried out into the attacks and assailants were released after light sentences, said the union. "This policy of impunity is encouraging new attacks. This systematic attitude indicates that the government is a party to crimes."

"The fact that those who attacked Yeniçağ [newspaper] Ankara Representative Orhan Uğuroğlu can say 'We are coming from the MHP [Nationalist Movement Party]. Don't criticize the MHP. The Grey Wolves will hold you accountable for that and that all individuals in the 25-people group who attacked our colleague Levent Gültekin are free are evidence that the acts of violence are committed by the government and its partners.

"But those who want Turkey to surrender by creating a climate of fear, those who make an attempt on our democracy by suffocating different views with grudge and hatred will not achieve their purpose.

"Despite those who form street gangs to attack journalists, we won't remain silent, we won't obey. Turkey will not return from democracy!"

The previous attacks that took place this year:

• Levent Gültekin: He was attacked on his way to the "İki Yorum" (Two Comments) program that he presented. (March 8, İstanbul)
• Ferruh Varanoğlu: Columnist. He was shot in his foot in an armed attack carried out by an unidentified person. (February 16, Bursa)
• Osman Güdü: The journalist who prepares and hosts the "City and Life" program on KRT TV was attacked with sticks in front of his office in Kartal. (February 4, İstanbul)
• İzzet Tınmaz: The grant holder of İlk Havadis (First News) and news coordinator of Anadolu'nun Sesi (Voice of Anatolia). Two people stopped his car on his way to work and beat him with sticks. (January 9, Aksaray)
• Kıymet Sarıyıldız and Murat Uçkaç: Hedef (Target) newspaper and İhlas News Agency (İHA) reporters. They were battered by the relatives of a suspect arrested for drug dealing while he was taken from the courthouse. (January 13, Aydın)
• Afşin Hatipoğlu: KRT TV program presenter. He was attacked by a group of unidentified persons wearing masks in front of his house. (January 14)
• Orhan Uğuroğlu: Ankara representative of Yeniçağ newspaper. While he was about to get in his car in the morning, four people attacked him with sticks. He was wounded in his arm. (January 15, Ankara) (HA/VK)