Kadın Gazeteciler Takipte (Women Journalists in Pursuit) Group released a statement, condemning the police violence on media staff during Gezi Park protests and targeting of women journalist who report on the issue.
The statement unfolded as follows:
“From the first day of Gezi Park protests, our on-field colleagues have been subjected to various attacks.
“It is unacceptable to prevent journalist from doing their duty to inform the public due to concerns related to their individual security.
“In this context, we don’t accept any explanation which would legitimize physical or verbal assaults on any active-duty journalists.
“During this process, we are keeping a close eye on the accusations and baseless claims that women journalists are attributed.
“We would like to remind one more time that we are standing behind Selin Girit, a BBC Turkish Service Staff whom Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek has accused of being a ‘spy’ through social media. We believe that Gökçek’s tweets are solely an eclipse of mind.
“On the other hand, we strongly believe that the allegations on Akşam newspaper columnists Tuğçe Tatari, Nilay Örnek and Sevim Gözay to be laid off due to their attitude towards Gezi Park protests is related to this targeting on women journalist.
“We, Women Journalists in Pursuit Group, kindly remind the public that we are concerned by the targeting of our colleagues and condemn the efforts to denigrate women journalists.” (ÇT/BM)
