Journalist Orhan Seeks Protection

Hüseyin Orhan, General Publications Director of the Değişim Media Group, was apparently threatened after news and comments written about Halil Posbıyık, Mayor of Ereğli (south-central Turkey). Orhan, also the owner of the www.ereglininsesi.com website ('Voice of Ereğli') filed a criminal complaint, as it was announced on 11 January.

Subsequent to filing the complaint, Orhan applied to the Ereğli District Governorship on Tuesday (11 January) and declared that his life was in danger.

The Ereğli District Governor İbrahim Çay transferred Orhan's petition to the Police Directorate as an urgent matter.

Journalist Orhan said he has been threatened, insulted and cursed via e-mails for a while. "In the first couple of days, I did not take it seriously. However, when the threatening messages continued I filed a complaint. The threats were going on after I had complained as well. The person who threatened and insulted me emphasized that s/he was not afraid of anybody but Allah. The person said to be abroad right now but that s/he would call me to account upon his/her return. The e-mail address was displayed openly. Hence, I felt the need to apply to the District Governorship as well", he explained.

Reproach of indifference

Orhan said that he has been working as a journalist for 20 years. On 7 January, he put pen to paper and criticized the indifference of the press community.

He wrote, "Stating that his life is in danger, he applies to the District Governorship and to the police. (...) A huge part of the newspapers do not see that news. (...) The Journalists Association does not ask 'What's going on'! Where did we come to! I am not offended by any of my colleagues. (...)"

"They are not being unjust. They might not want to lose the 250 lira advertisements given twice a year. The survival of press institutions is very difficult! Everybody has to make ends meet (...)". (EÖ/VK)