Reactions by Journalist Organizations against “Trustee” Ruling

Journalist organizations have reacted against appointment of trustee to 22 companies of Koza İpek Holding which incorporates Kanaltürk TV channel and Bugün daily.

While Turkish Journalists Union (TGS) President Uğur Güç and DİSK Press Labor President Faruk Eren speaking to bianet said the decision is a strategy for government to shape media, Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) and İzmir Journalists Associaton (İGC) made statements separately.

CLICK - TRUSTEE APPOINTED TO KOZA HOLDING

Güç: Government seeks to form its own media

"This ruling is not legal. Earlier channels belong to [Gülen] congregation were removed from Digitür and Türksat. Now the government assigns its own administrators to bring those broadcats under its total control."

Eren: Opposition voices blocked prior to elections

"This is oppression by the government on media. Justice and Development Party (AKP) government had seized several media organs in a similar way. The media organs included in the companies that were appointed trustee were openly making opposition. These companies were firstly removed from Digitürk and Türksat, and now appointed trustee. The government by this means aims to block opposition voices prior to elections."

TGC: Government's effort of intimidation

"This is the first time we see trustee appointed to a media outlet. Those are government's efforts to intimidate and exhaust [opposition] right before the elections. However, media's resisting wing will stand up to this. It will defend freedom of the press, people's freedom of information up to the end. Media must be in solidarity. No matter how much damage this government deals, it will be gone in time, but journalism will. Free, honest, independent journalists will live."

İGC: Our most basic human rights are under duress

"Appointing trustee to companies included in İpek Koza Holding is a rape to 'national will' which some constantly talk about. Democracy, liberty of the press and freedom of expression, people's property right have been raped.

It also reveals that they can easily dare to kick the dissidents out of their houses by infringing the law. This is a very dangerous course and it is unknown who will be next. We as press trade bodies must be in solidarity more than ever. Otherwise there won't be supremacy of law, property right or freedom of information in out country any more. In short, Our most basic human rights are under duress." (EA/TK)

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