‘There are Still Journalists Battered Due to Their News’

Click to read the article in Turkish

The Journalists' Association of Turkey (TGC) has released a press statement to mark April 6 Remembrance Day for Killed Journalists in Turkey.

Reminding the public that journalist Hasan Fehmi, the first loss of the profession, was killed on Galata Bridge in İstanbul on April 6, 1909, the TGC has noted that 66 journalists have been killed in 111 years since then.

The TGC Administrative Board has shared the following message:

"We lost Hasan Fehmi, the first martyr of press, on April 6, 1909. Known for his critical articles on Serbesti Newspaper, Hasan Fehmi was killed because he expressed and penned his opinions. Since then, we have 66 colleagues, most of whom have been killed in unidentified murders. Unfortunately, the files of unidentified murders have not yet been discussed at the parliament.

'An honorable profession, the voice of people...'

"Democracies are tested with freedom of press and freedom to express opinions. Journalism in our country is going through so difficult a test that it has never faced before. Journalism is an honorable profession. It is the voice of the people when it is practiced conscientiously and honestly.

"Even though it seems to be a relief that journalists are no longer killed, we still have colleagues in the mainstream media and local media who are battered due to their news. On the other side, journalists are facing incessant lawsuits against themselves. The situation of imprisoned journalists and writers is indeed a shame for our country.

"On April 6 Remembrance Day for Killed Journalists, we bow in respect before the memory of 66 journalists who lost their lives."

In its Press Museum, the Journalists' Association of Turkey have listed the names of killed journalists in Turkey as follows:

(HA/SD)