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After Abdul Hamid II declared the 2nd Constitutional Monarchy in the late Ottoman period, newspapers started to be published without any censorships for the first time on July 24, 1908. Accordingly, July 24 is observed as the "Journalists and Press Day" in Turkey.
Releasing separate statements for the press on this occasion, Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS), Journalists' Association of Turkey (TGC) and DİSK Press Labor Union (Basın-İş) have announced that there is an attempt to repress journalists with unemployment, censorship, self-censorship, lawsuits and detentions and, for these reasons, they will not celebrate the day.
TGS: We don't celebrate it under these conditions
Making a statement on the 111th anniversary of abolishment of censorship in Turkey, the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) has stated that "At a time when Turkey is going through a period of pressure, it is both humiliating to call July 24 the 'press day' and to celebrate it."
Reminding that 134 journalists are currently behind bars in Turkey, the TGS has further indicated, "Turkey ranks 157th in the world press freedom index, there are over 10 thousand unemployed journalists, press cards of hundreds of journalists have been cancelled, 95 percent of the media is controlled by the government, online journalists do not have job security, local newspapers are in the grip of official advertising and most media workers are not members of a union or signatory to a collective labor agreement."
"Until it brings us days when we can really celebrate, July 24 is just an ordinary day for us," the Union has indicated further and added, "Only when journalists lay claim to their rights and the society lays claim to the news, July 24 will then be a day to celebrate for us."
TGC: Journalists are still under pressure
In its statement, the Journalists' Association of Turkey (TGC) has underlined that journalism in Turkey has been going through one of the most difficult periods of its history, indicating that journalists are still repressed by unemployment, censorship, self-censorship, lawsuits and detentions.
"Freedom of expression is indispensable for modern democracies", the Association has stated further and emphasized that the obstacles in the way of freedom of press and expression need to be removed so that Turkey can have a multivocal modern society.
Stating that they stand with the journalists, the TGC has also expressed its "wish for a July 24 when journalists are not targeted, dismissed, detained or arrested for their opinions and news."
DİSK Press Labor Union: We are made targets
The Press Labor Union (Basın-İş) affiliated with the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) has also released a statement.
"Freedom of press and expression has been trampled upon in Turkey", the union has indicated in its statement and reminded the public that their tens of colleagues are still held in prisons. It has also underlined that the government demands unconditional and entire submission and journalists working in international media outlets are made targets.
Concluding its statement, the Union has stated that not only freedom of press and expression, but democracy is also trampled upon in Turkey. (HA/SD)
