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Turkish daily scraps anti-referendum interview with Nobel laureate

In the Turkish press' latest act of self-censorship, Hurriyet has axed its interview with Orhan Pamuk after the celebrated novelist said he will vote no on the upcoming presidential referendum.
Turkish writer, columnist and academic Murat Belge (R) and Turkish author Orhan Pamuk leave Kartal Justice Palace after Belge appeared in court on charges of insulting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, Turkey May 3, 2016. REUTERS/Osman Orsal - RTX2CLCD

The screws on free expression are tightening in the run-up to the April 16 referendum on boosting the powers of Turkey’s presidency, and the country's mainstream media is a zealously self-censoring accomplice.

Orhan Pamuk, a celebrated novelist and Turkey’s first Nobel laureate, joined the ranks of the silenced when Hurriyet axed an interview with him that was meant to run on Feb. 13.

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