The attempted military coup has opened a new chapter in Turkey’s history, with collective demonisation and punishment of the Gulen community and the media. Reporters Without Borders say Turkey is now ‘world leader in imprisoned journalists’. Although the Gulen community has a darker side, many are innocent people being persecuted. Journalists are harassed, accused of 'insulting the president' and the Internet is systematically censored. The war in Syria and Turkey’s offensive against the PKK is exacerbating media, which are also accused of terrorism. The media and civil society are nonetheless resisting President Erdogan’s growing authoritarianism. On 30 August, historically celebrated as ‘Holiday of Victory’, there were no celebrations or parades, reflecting the grim and tense mood of a society dominated by accusation and purge. Instead, the holiday ushered in another round of crackdowns on prominent journalists for alleged ties to the Gulenist movement.
Turkey: increased assault on media
Written by David Fletcher 09 Sep 2016Additional Info
- Pray: for God to bring an end to the intimidation and suppression of independent journalism. (Jer.20:11a)
- More: www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/09/turkey-media-gulen-coup-iran-russia-syria-erdogan-kurds.html