On the Working Journalists Day on 10 January, the Freedom for Journalists Platform (GÖP) drew attention to the fact that more than 50 journalists a currently being detained, more than 2,000 cases have been opened against journalists and more than 4,000 investigation have been launched into activities of journalists. The GÖP called for the release of the detained journalists. The organization demanded to lift obstacles before the organization of press freedom and freedom of expression in unions.
The Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) marked the Working Journalists Day with a press conference to highlight the situation of many journalists. Ercan İpekçi, General Head of the Turkish Journalists Union (TGS), announced on behalf of the platform that the independence of press workers and free journalism were threatened by potential unemployment and the lack of job security.
He pointed out that the draft law on Radio and Television Enterprises and Broadcasts currently debated in the Turkish Parliament's General Assembly bore the danger of not comprising radio and television journalists within the scope of a "Press Work Law".
"Repressions even mentioned in EU Progress Report"
İpekçi stated that more than a hundred journalists are facing a direct prison threat. He emphasized the following problems:
"The pressure applied on journalists who are convicted under the Anti-Terror Law has advanced as far as being mentioned in the Progress Report on Turkey by the European Commission".
"Applications of complaints and accreditation hinder journalists to freely ask questions to the Prime Minister and the state ministers".
"Interventions against TRT and the Anatolian Agency spark concern about driving these public broadcasting institutions away from the principle of free and independent journalism".
"No democracy without many voices"
Journalist Namık Koçak criticised newspaper managements, "Talking about press freedom is impossible if a newspaper whose reporter is obstructed from asking questions to the Prime Minister would declare a new name instead of withdrawing its reporter".
Journalist and writer Nedim Şener argued, "The government creates pressure on this media system and it is again the government we hope to get help from because they have the power. Şener said that "journalists labelling journalists" should be disclosed as well as the pressure of the media imposed on newspapers. (EÇ-SC/EÖ/VK)
