Cumhuriyet newspaper dismisses seven journalists

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Cumhuriyet newspaper has dismissed seven journalists citing "reasons arising from the necessity of the work and the business."

Women's news reporter Kübra Köklü, economy editor Esra Alus, and website editors Altan Yağcı, İlker Güneş Doğan and Dilek Kılıç are among the dismissed personnel.

Journalists announced their dismissal on their social media accounts.

"The slaughter of workers began in Cumhuriyet Newspaper. My job was terminated today. There is no reason," Köklü wrote on Twitter.

Aluş wrote, "I have been dismissed from Cumhuriyet Newspaper, which I've worked for since January 2017, because of economic reasons. I'm proud that my reports made the headlines in the last two days."

Posting another tweet, she wrote, "I'm a person who believes in karma. I have full faith that those who do injustice will face the same treatment. Let's wait and see..."

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The Journalists' Union of Turkey (TGS) said after the dismissals that it will stand by its members.

Noting that the union has been active in the newspaper for 60 years and has been in talks with it for a collective agreement for the first time in 20 years, the union said "we will follow all the legal proceedings for the rights of our members."

In September 2019, Cumhuriyet had dismissed 25 journalist because of "downsizing." (HA/VK)