Reaction from Journalism Organizations Against Arrest of Editors-in-Chief on Watch

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Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS), Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) Press Labor and Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) have reacted against the arrest of Turkey Human Rights Foundation (TİHV) Chair Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Turkey Representative and bianet rapporteur Erol Önderoğlu, and journalist author Ahmet Nesin.

TGS: Solidarity has been arrested

“We are again living a dark day in Turkey’s press history. A member of our union and RSF Turkey Representative Erol Önderoğlu who closely follows the right violations to which journalists are subjected, Ahmet Nesin, the TİHV Chair and Evrensel daily columnist Şebnem Korur Fincancı have been arrested for acting in solidarity with Özgür Gündem daily.

“It is obvious that this arrest verdict is political. The journalists are intended to be put under pressure by the political orders the courts issue. Today, the court has also intended to arrest the solidarity feeling among the journalists.

“We as the TGS call for all journalist to act in solidarity with in particular our imprisoned colleagues, and the journalists being tried and kept under pressure. The only fear for the mindset jailing the journalists is solidarity. They can’t issue such political verdicts if we stand side by side”.

DİSK Press Labor: Solidarity cannot be deemed as a crime

“Our three friends participating in the Editor-in-Chief on Watch campaign launched for purpose of acting in solidarity with Özgür Gündemdaily on May 3 Press Freedom Day have been arrested today. Probe has been launched into 40 people joining the watch so far.

“Solidarity of those defending freedom of thought and expression against the government’s political crackdowns, willing to protect language of peace in media, looking out press freedom and people’s right to information cannot be deemed as a crime”.

TGC: We will not become uniform journalist

“This order indicates that a much darker future awaits us in terms of freedom of the press and expression. Under these circumstances, it is no more possible to defend people’s right to information, do independent and critical journalism.

“It is clear that the mindset associating journalism with terror organization propaganda has incapacitated media organs and aims to independent journalism. The insistent effort to make uniform publishing and uniform journalism forming bonds with the government hegemonic disregards public’s right to information. Journalism and solidarity are jailed by this order.

“We bring to public attention that despite all the crackdowns, we will not become uniform journalists and won’t do uniform publishing”. (EA/TK)

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