TGS: No Press Freedom in Turkey, No Day to Celebrate

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Journalists Association of Turkey in its press statement as to the World Day of Press Freedom, has expressed that there was no press freedom in Turkey and pointed out the importance of joint struggle for press freedom.

Journalists Association of Turkey (TGS) has made a press statement with regards to the May 3 World Press Freedom Day in Galatasaray Square.

The journalists attending the press statement have carried banners reading “Journalism is not a crime”, “Press freedom” and “Journalism cannot be jailed” as well as Evrensel and Özgür Gündem daily newspapers. They have chanted slogans such as “Free press cannot be silenced”, “Free press, free society” and “Let us burn down the dungeons, free press”.

Güç: No Press freedom

TGS Chairperson Uğur Güç has said noted that United Nations has declared May 3, World Day of Press Freedom as of 1993 for a free and independent Press.

”But today, there is no press freedom, thus there is no day to celebrate. At the best, this day could be a day, on which journalism offer resistance and do not bow to the oppressions”.

“Journalism is not a crime”

Noting that the freedom of press and expression had been put aside, Güç has added that the number of arrested journalists has exceeded 33.

“Especially the Kurdish journalists have been the target due to the war which has been ongoing in Southeastern Turkey since the June 7 Elections. 18 of the arrested journalists are from the Kurdish media. Due to oppressions and media blackouts which have recently increasing, nine reporters from DİHA (Dicle News Agency) have been arrested.

“We are being threatened for making news, have to face insults and are getting arrested. Despite all, we don’t give up the struggle to uncover the truth”.

Resisting those who want to turn journalism into a crime, we have gone out to the streets together with the trade bodies with of 600,000 journalists from 140 different states. Not only in Turkey, but across the world this day cannot be celebrated due to neoliberal policies oppressing journalism against which we are protesting.

“Today, we would like to reiterate that journalism is not a crime and demand that our colleagues be released”.

Boltan: Press freedom achievable through collaboration

Association of Free Journalists Co-Chair Hakkı Boltan has underlined the importance of collaboration for the press freedom.

“There is no press freedom in Turkey. If there is a resistance in Turkey, freedom can be realised and this struggle can be put into practice in collaboration.

“There is a difference between the press freedom here and Kurdistan. Since the 90s we have been fighting against assaults and oppressions and have made important progress. If we could get together around these experiences and act in solidarity, we will have a chance to improve press freedom”. (BK/DG)