Advanced Search

Share Coverage



Category: Media / World Politics

Turkish court orders newspaper into administration amid free speech concerns

Saturday, 5 Mar 2016 03:48:59

Demonstrators say the court-ordered administration of the Zaman newspaper represents a crackdown on free speech. (AFP: Ozan Kose)

An Istanbul court has ordered a newspaper sharply critical of the President into administration, adding to growing alarm over freedom of expression in Turkey.

Key points

  • Anti-Erdogan newspaper ordered into administration
  • New editorial direction to endorse government
  • Decision comes during nation-wide crackdown on free speech

The Zaman newspaper, closely linked to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rival Fethullah Gulen, was ordered into administration by the court on the request of Istanbul prosecutors, the state-run Anatolia news agency said.

There was no immediate official explanation for the court's decision.

External Link: Tweet - Zaman front page

The move means the court will appoint new managers to run the newspaper, who will be expected to transform its editorial line.

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the paper's headquarters in Istanbul awaiting the arrival of bailiffs and security forces after the court order.

"Democracy will continue and free media will not be silent," Zaman's editor-in-chief Abdulhamit Bilici was quoted as saying by the Cihan news agency outside its headquarters.

"I believe that free media will continue even if we have to write on the walls. I don't think it is possible to silence media in the digital age."

Mr Gulen has been based in the United States since 1999 when he fled charges against him laid by the former secular authorities.

Despite living outside of Turkey, he built up huge influence in the country through allies in the police and judiciary, media and financial interests and a vast network of cramming school.

Ankara now accuses Mr Gulen of running what it calls the Fethullahaci Terror Organisation/Parallel State Structure (FeTO/PDY), seeking to overthrow the legitimate Turkish authorities.

There have been numerous legal crackdowns on structures linked to the group and on Friday Turkish police arrested four executives of one of the country's largest conglomerates, accusing them of financing Mr Gulen.

Seizure of newspaper raises free speech fears

The effective seizure of the newspaper by the state comes amid growing concerns over freedom of expression in Turkey under Erdogan's rule.

The Cumhuriyet newspaper's editor-in-chief Can Dundar and Ankara bureau chief Erdem Gul were released on an order from Turkey's top court last week after three months in jail on charges of publishing state secrets.

But they still face trial on March 25.

Meanwhile almost 2,000 journalists, bloggers and ordinary citizens, including high school students, have found themselves prosecuted on accusations of insulting President Erdogan.

"By lashing out and seeking to rein in critical voices, President Erdogan's government is steamrolling over human rights," Andrew Gardner, Amnesty International's Turkey expert said in a statement.

Independent pro-Kurdish television channel IMV TV was taken off air in Turkey last weekend following accusations that it broadcast "terrorist propaganda" for militants.

The decision on Zaman comes as Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu heads to Brussels Monday for a crucial summit meeting with EU leaders. The news broke as President Erdogan was holding talks in Istanbul with EU President Donald Tusk.

Critics have accused the EU of turning a blind eye to the situation with media freedom in Turkey in exchange for Ankara's cooperation in the refugee crisis.

AFP

AustraliaPlus


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend