Siege tightens around Turkey’s critical newsrooms ahead of election
Government opponents fear Ankara will use all of its means to stifle unfavorable news and public debate ahead of crucial elections next year.
Turkey’s independent media – already dwindled and largely muted – finds itself under a tightening siege as the country heads for crucial elections next year. Pressure is rising on newsrooms in various forms, from broadcasting bans and financial penalties to judicial probes and new legal threats, including jail terms for spreading “untrue” information.
On Oct. 25, 11 reporters from two Kurdish news agencies were detained in police raids on their homes and offices in several cities, reportedly on suspicion of links to armed Kurdish militants. Balaclava-clad officers armed with long-barreled guns led the raids, according to a video clip the police posted on social media, drawing protests from media organizations. Sixteen reporters from the same agencies were arrested in June.
Last week, the broadcasting watchdog RTUK slapped a three-day broadcasting ban on the Tele1 TV channel over remarks an opposition lawmaker made on air. It is the second such penalty Tele1 has received within a year, which, under the law, leaves it at risk of losing its license. The lawmaker had criticized the Religious Affairs Directorate, saying it has become “a tool of political Islam.”
The members of the watchdog are nominated by parties represented in parliament. The nominees of the ruling party and its nationalist ally hold the majority.
