Nationwide protest by Turkish journalists against detentions
A group of journalists and reporters in Turkey held simultaneous gatherings and marches in several provinces and major cities, demanding an end to pressure, detentions, and the appointment of government trustees to independent media.
These protests were formed in reaction to measures such as appointing government trustees to Halk TV and TELE 1 television networks, detaining a number of journalists, and blocking their social media accounts.
According to a joint statement by journalist and reporter unions, protesters, with slogans such as “Enough is enough, we cannot breathe,” announced they would not remain silent in an environment where journalism is a crime, news is a threat, and truth is considered undesirable. The protests were accompanied by the central slogan “No to censorship, freedom for news.”
Gatherings were held in different cities. Marches in major cities and provincial centers began from specific points and continued toward squares or main public spaces. Similar gatherings were held in some other cities of the country.
These protests also received support from opposition political parties. Ozgur Ozel, leader of the New Turkey Party (YENI), announced he would personally participate in one of the marches and described it as a movement against the dark order of the government.
The International Federation of Journalists, by approving a resolution at its online meeting, condemned the detention of journalists, announced its full support for this nationwide movement, and asked Turkish authorities to adhere to their international commitments on freedom of expression and to end judicial harassment and political interference in the media.
Turkey’s Ministry of Interior has not published an official statement about these protests. State media covered the protests without mentioning their broad dimensions. Observers believe that this simultaneous movement in several provinces shows the depth of the media community’s dissatisfaction with increasing restrictions.
