Turkey journalists protest against media suppression

Turkish journalists have held a demonstration in Istanbul to protest against the growing suppression of media and threats against journalists in the country.

The protest was staged on Saturday with journalists gathering in the city’s Istiklal Square located on the European side, carrying banners that read, “Free Media Cannot Be Silenced,” Turkish media reported.

“The recent suppression of and attacks against journalists, as well as the attempts to undermine our profession, have reached the point where our physical well-being is at risk. Leaving us unemployed, intimidating us, attempts to silence us have now given way to outright physical assault,” the protest organizers said in a statement.

The demonstration came in the wake of an assault on veteran Hurriyet daily journalist Ahmet Hakan Coskun, who is known for his critical views of the government. He was attacked by four men in front of his house in Istanbul on September 30.

Three of the assailants, who were reportedly detained later, were found out to be members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and were expelled.

Freedom of media in Turkey has been restricted due to political pressure and prosecution of journalists, said Hurriyet editor-in-chief, Sedat Ergin, at the demonstration, adding that journalists now are worried about their own safety as well.

The attack on Coskun followed two assaults launched by pro-government mobs on the Hurriyet building. An AK Party deputy is said to be involved in one of the raids.

One pro-government columnist, meanwhile, has said that they can “crush Coskun like a fly” and that he is alive only because of “our mercy.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has personally targeted Aydin Dogan, owner of the Dogan Media Group, which also includes Hurriyet. The media group has been accused of “spreading terrorist propaganda” and faces a criminal probe.

The Press Council, the Turkish Confederation of Journalists, Turkey office of the International Press Institute (IPI) and PEN Turkey, as well as opposition lawmakers supported the Saturday event.

Turkey has been under fire for clamping down on journalists and sentencing them to long prison terms.

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