RSF: Economy Reporters Harassed in Turkey

*"Freedom to journalists"

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The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released a statement on recent lawsuits against economy reporters, saying that the situation is "alarming."

Cengiz Erdinç, a reporter for the daily Yurt, is on trial for violation of the banking law due to his article titled, "The Financial Black Holes," upon a complaint by the state-owned Ziraat Bank.

In the 2016 article, Erdinç reported that Ziraat's New York branch had been forced to stop providing banking services to individuals as a result of an investigation by the US financial authorities.

Kerim Karakaya and Fercan Yalınkılıç, reporters of the Bloomberg, are facing jail terms for their 2018 article on the currency crisis in Turkey. Their trial will begin in September.

Apart from the two reporters, lawsuits were filed against 34 others including journalists and economists who tweeted on the article.

"It seems as though almost all subjects are now off limits for the media in Turkey. Covering the economy is certainly getting more dangerous," said the RSF.

RSF Turkey representative Erol Önderoğlu commented on the situation, saying, "Turkey has nothing to gain by burying its head in the sand. On the contrary, reliable information, transparency and restoration of the rule of law are the surest way to inspire confidence in investors. The general interest would be best served by ending these prosecutions and respecting the work of journalists." (HA/VK)