Freedom House calls on gov't to respect press freedom
Friday, March 2, 2007
ISTANBUL – Turkish Daily News
An advocacy group on Wednesday expressed concern over what it said was recent attempts by the Turkish government to intimidate media outlets, calling on authorities to respect the freedom of the press and expression leading up to presidential and general elections scheduled for later this year.
The non-profit group Freedom House said the Kanal Türk TV station, which is perceived to be critical of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has reported attempts by officials to intimidate it into curtailing critical reporting. Attempts at intimidation have included detailed investigations by the Finance Ministry into the financial activities of Kanal Türk TV, including the examination of tax records, bank accounts and income flow of both managers and employees as well as the personal expenses of family members of the management and guests who have appeared on the station's programs, the group said.
"These subtle forms of intimidation have no place in a democratic society and are inconsistent with the positive steps that Turkey has taken in the past six years to improve its ratings in press freedom," said Karin Karlekar, managing editor of Freedom House's Freedom of the Press survey.
Freedom of the Press 2006, Freedom House's most recent survey of press freedom, categorizes Turkey's media environment as Partly Free. Turkey's current ranking, 103rd out of 194 countries and territories worldwide, reflects a number of positive media reforms that have been passed in recent years in preparation for membership of the European Union.
"Ensuring a free and open media environment is vital to any healthy democracy and is particularly important in the months leading up to an election," said the group's executive director Jennifer Windsor. "We hope that the Turkish government can demonstrate its ability to withstand public scrutiny by respecting all forms of free expression, even those that are critical."
The signs of Turkey's re-islamization have been evident for a while now.
Pertinent Links:
1) Freedom House calls on gov't to respect press freedom
Friday, March 02, 2007
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1 comment:
A healthy society needs press freedom. that is why I support any advocacy campaign that aims to promote press freedom. It is especially valuable in an election because a lot of things can be covered up to favor certain parties. The press should be free from oppression and harassment.
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