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How foreign journalists become 'spies' in Turkey

Journalism in Turkey is increasingly becoming a nightmare for foreign reporters, too, while the president personally leads psychological lynching campaigns.
Television journalists report from outside the headquarters of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) party, shortly before the country's president-elect announces the name of his party's new chairman, in Ankara, on August 21, 2014. Turkey's ruling party is meeting on August 21 to agree on a new leader and prime minister to replace incoming president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu the frontrunner for the job.AFP PHOTO / ADEM ALTAN        (Photo credit should read AD

Back in the days when Turkey was touted as a model for the Muslim world, boasting a booming economy despite the global crisis, it was home to many foreign journalists full of praise for the country. With the Arab uprisings, more foreign journalists arrived in Turkey, as cities like Istanbul, Hatay and Gaziantep became their regional bases, just as Beirut once used to be.

Foreign journalists and local ones employed by foreign media enjoyed high esteem in the days they lauded the Justice and Development Party (AKP), but when they began referring to touchy subjects they became spies overnight in government eyes.

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