If the media is not free, there is no democracy.
Media workers in Turkey are facing May 3, World Press Freedom Day, while in prison, unemployed, and under harsh working conditions.
In Turkey, where 135 media members are detained or convicted in prison, various investigations have been opened with political charges against more than “2000” journalists. Press cards of more than 3,000 journalists were cancelled or not renewed without any justification.
In the last four years, more than 7,000 media workers have lost their jobs. While 85 percent of the media came under the control of the government, new legal regulations were made to censor internet and social media platforms. Censorship and self-censorship have caused the media, which is indispensable for democracies, to lose power, and newspaper circulation to decrease by 40 percent. Turkey has fallen to 152nd place among 180 countries in the media freedom index, joining countries associated with dictatorship.
20 journalists were physically attacked in the last year. Journalists continued to be targeted by name by politicians. The number of media members who left the country due to pressures and investigations has approached 500.
The responsibility for this grave situation undoubtedly lies with the coalition government in power and the judiciary and law enforcement forces that do not implement the constitutional regulations guaranteeing press freedom and act in line with the demands of the government.
While celebrating May 3 World Press Freedom Day for media workers who are trying to continue their profession in Turkey under difficult conditions, we convey our strongest support to all our colleagues who are imprisoned, left unemployed, and unable to perform their profession due to the cancellation of press cards.
We call on President Tayyip Erdogan and his government to primarily release imprisoned journalists and end the pressure on the media.
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