The report of the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) noted that another month had passed marked by attacks against journalists, censorship, and trustee appointments, emphasized that Turkey has entered a “dark turning point” for freedom of thought and expression.
According to the report, in October one journalist was murdered, five journalists were attacked, seven journalists were detained, two journalists were arrested, and a trustee was appointed to one media outlet. In addition, access was blocked to 628 social media posts.
According to the same report, there are currently twenty-eight imprisoned journalists in Turkish state prisons.
DFG protested the failure to clarify the death of journalist Hakan Tosun, stating that they will continue to ask “What happened to Hakan Tosun?”
The appointment of a trustee to TELE 1 and the censorship directed at institutions such as JINNEWS and Mezopotamya Agency were also described as “a dark stain on Turkey’s democracy.”
The situation is getting darker
In the report, it was stated that blocking news reports regarding the withdrawal process launched by the Kurdish Freedom Movement with the approval of Abdullah Öcalan demonstrates the extent of the political pressure being imposed on press freedom.
DFG stated that journalists will continue writing the truth despite all this pressure, and emphasized the following: “Attacks against the press in Turkey are increasing day by day. The picture is getting darker. We do not bow to pressure, we continue to write the truth. We do not accept the killing of journalists, nor censorship, nor the appointment of trustees (…). We will continue to insist on peace journalism that says ‘the Kurdish question must be solved through democratic means’ and that takes society’s conscience as the foundation.”