Germany's DW closure in Turkey sparks fears of pre-election media clampdown
Deutsche Welle, which produces news in Turkish, will close its office next week after the government refused it permission to operate.
ISTANBUL — The planned closure of the Turkey office of one of the country’s leading foreign news outlets has led to fears of a clampdown on the media in the run-up to elections on May 14.
Germany’s public broadcaster, Deutsche Welle (DW), announced on Monday that it will close its bureau in Turkey after the government declined to extend its permission to operate in the country. The company, which produces news in Turkish, said it would close its office beginning Tuesday next week.
DW Turkish Publications Manager Erkan Arikan described the move as a “blow to the freedom of the press,” and media freedom groups also condemned the development. In a statement, DW said it was considering legal action over the decision to deny an extension to its permit.
“We suspect that the government is putting pressure on the related authorities in order to make our journalistic activities in Turkey even harder,” Arikan said.
