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The Prague Post, Czech Rep.
May 4, 2011
Freedom of press under attack in Turkey
Country has more journalists in prison than Iran, China
By Alison Bethel McKenzie and Steven M. Ellis
In a study released last month, the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) representative on freedom of the
media, Dunja MijatoviÄ , reported that 57 journalists are currently in
prison in Turkey, mostly on the basis of the country's anti-terrorism
laws. With 11 more Turkish journalists also facing charges, the total
number could soon double the records of Iran and China, each of which
reportedly held 34 journalists in prison in December 2010. Indeed,
MijatoviÄ estimated that another 700-1,000 proceedings against
journalists remain ongoing in Turkey.
Such a situation is intolerable anywhere, but particularly in a
democracy seeking European Union membership that recognizes freedom of
expression as a fundamental right. Turkey's behavior thus calls into
question not only its desire but also its ability to commit to the
values underlying the EU.
Journalists linked to Kurdish or Marxist organizations have regularly
been targeted under Turkey's anti-terrorism laws, and the OSCE study
found they have faced some of the harshest punishments. One Kurdish
journalist was sentenced to 166 years in prison. Others currently face
- wait for it - 3,000-year sentences if convicted.
The relative lack of scrutiny of Turkey's treatment of journalists by
many in the West has changed, however, owing to the recent waves of
arrests in the so-called "Ergenekon" case. Numerous military officers
and academics have been implicated in that case, which involves an
alleged plot by secular ultra-nationalists to overthrow the Turkish
government. The probe has now turned increasingly toward journalists.
One of those accused of participating in the plot is the daily
newspaper Milliyet's investigative reporter Nedim Sener, whose work
includes a book about links between security forces and the 2007
murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. The International
Press Institute (IPI) named Sener a world press freedom hero in 2010.
Incarcerated following his arrest last month, he reportedly stands
accused of belonging to an armed terrorist organization seeking to
overthrow the government.
Another journalist under fire is Ahmet Sik, who already faced
prosecution for co-writing a book criticizing the government's
crackdown on the Ergenekon plot. Sik was said to be working on a book
about the alleged influence of an Islamic group within Turkey's police
force, which authorities last month ordered confiscated before it
could be printed.
A common thread in all of the cases targeting journalists is that the
alleged facts are shrouded in secrecy, and the authorities have
declined to release any evidence of crimes or criminal organizations.
Worse still, they have declined even to inform those brought before
courts - sometimes in secret - or their attorneys of the charges they
face.
Indeed, journalists caught in this Kafkaesque affair can expect to
spend years behind bars before being allowed to respond to accusations
against them. A climate of fear escalates with each raid and arrest.
Meanwhile, Turkish authorities affirm the country's commitment to
press freedom, even as they impugn the motives of those who exercise
it. Given that so many journalists have been jailed, and that all of
them have been critical of the government, it is difficult to avoid
the conclusion that journalists are being targeted because of their
work.
Such concern has been voiced not only by press-freedom groups such as
IPI and journalists, like the Freedom for Journalists Platform (an
umbrella group representing Turkish local and national media
organizations), but also by respected international institutions. The
United States' Mission to the OSCE and the European Commission have
joined MijatoviÄ in calling on Turkey's authorities to stop their
intimidation of the media immediately, and to uphold basic OSCE media
freedom commitments. The United Nations Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights has called on Turkey to guarantee
freedom of opinion and expression.
Even Turkey's president, Abdullah GÃ l, recently called for
"prosecutors and courts to be more diligent in pursuing their
responsibilities, and to act in a way that does not harm the honor and
rights of the people."
Turkey plays a pivotal, bridge-building role between East and West,
and the country has been praised for demonstrating that democracy can
co-exist with Islam. But the arrests of so many journalists are
eroding this image.
The right of journalists to cover sensitive topics, including national
security, is fundamental. Those who do not engage in criminal activity
should not face arrest, imprisonment or any other form of harassment
or intimidation for doing their job. Those accused of criminal
activity must be given due process and a fair trial. Evidence must be
provided, and the accused must be presented with the charges they face
and the opportunity to defend themselves.
Far from being defamatory subversives, journalists who investigate and
criticize their government's actions demonstrate true patriotism,
because no democracy can survive without the open and independent
assessment of public policies that journalists provide. If Turkey, a
major regional power with an ancient cultural heritage, truly wishes
to be welcomed into Europe, to take its rightful place on the world
stage, and, indeed, to remain a democracy, its leaders must not hold
freedom of the press in contempt.
- Alison Bethel McKenzie is director of the International Press
Institute (IPI). Steven M. Ellis is IPI Press Freedom Adviser.
Copyright 2011 Project Syndicate
From: A. Papazian
May 4, 2011
Freedom of press under attack in Turkey
Country has more journalists in prison than Iran, China
By Alison Bethel McKenzie and Steven M. Ellis
In a study released last month, the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) representative on freedom of the
media, Dunja MijatoviÄ , reported that 57 journalists are currently in
prison in Turkey, mostly on the basis of the country's anti-terrorism
laws. With 11 more Turkish journalists also facing charges, the total
number could soon double the records of Iran and China, each of which
reportedly held 34 journalists in prison in December 2010. Indeed,
MijatoviÄ estimated that another 700-1,000 proceedings against
journalists remain ongoing in Turkey.
Such a situation is intolerable anywhere, but particularly in a
democracy seeking European Union membership that recognizes freedom of
expression as a fundamental right. Turkey's behavior thus calls into
question not only its desire but also its ability to commit to the
values underlying the EU.
Journalists linked to Kurdish or Marxist organizations have regularly
been targeted under Turkey's anti-terrorism laws, and the OSCE study
found they have faced some of the harshest punishments. One Kurdish
journalist was sentenced to 166 years in prison. Others currently face
- wait for it - 3,000-year sentences if convicted.
The relative lack of scrutiny of Turkey's treatment of journalists by
many in the West has changed, however, owing to the recent waves of
arrests in the so-called "Ergenekon" case. Numerous military officers
and academics have been implicated in that case, which involves an
alleged plot by secular ultra-nationalists to overthrow the Turkish
government. The probe has now turned increasingly toward journalists.
One of those accused of participating in the plot is the daily
newspaper Milliyet's investigative reporter Nedim Sener, whose work
includes a book about links between security forces and the 2007
murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. The International
Press Institute (IPI) named Sener a world press freedom hero in 2010.
Incarcerated following his arrest last month, he reportedly stands
accused of belonging to an armed terrorist organization seeking to
overthrow the government.
Another journalist under fire is Ahmet Sik, who already faced
prosecution for co-writing a book criticizing the government's
crackdown on the Ergenekon plot. Sik was said to be working on a book
about the alleged influence of an Islamic group within Turkey's police
force, which authorities last month ordered confiscated before it
could be printed.
A common thread in all of the cases targeting journalists is that the
alleged facts are shrouded in secrecy, and the authorities have
declined to release any evidence of crimes or criminal organizations.
Worse still, they have declined even to inform those brought before
courts - sometimes in secret - or their attorneys of the charges they
face.
Indeed, journalists caught in this Kafkaesque affair can expect to
spend years behind bars before being allowed to respond to accusations
against them. A climate of fear escalates with each raid and arrest.
Meanwhile, Turkish authorities affirm the country's commitment to
press freedom, even as they impugn the motives of those who exercise
it. Given that so many journalists have been jailed, and that all of
them have been critical of the government, it is difficult to avoid
the conclusion that journalists are being targeted because of their
work.
Such concern has been voiced not only by press-freedom groups such as
IPI and journalists, like the Freedom for Journalists Platform (an
umbrella group representing Turkish local and national media
organizations), but also by respected international institutions. The
United States' Mission to the OSCE and the European Commission have
joined MijatoviÄ in calling on Turkey's authorities to stop their
intimidation of the media immediately, and to uphold basic OSCE media
freedom commitments. The United Nations Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights has called on Turkey to guarantee
freedom of opinion and expression.
Even Turkey's president, Abdullah GÃ l, recently called for
"prosecutors and courts to be more diligent in pursuing their
responsibilities, and to act in a way that does not harm the honor and
rights of the people."
Turkey plays a pivotal, bridge-building role between East and West,
and the country has been praised for demonstrating that democracy can
co-exist with Islam. But the arrests of so many journalists are
eroding this image.
The right of journalists to cover sensitive topics, including national
security, is fundamental. Those who do not engage in criminal activity
should not face arrest, imprisonment or any other form of harassment
or intimidation for doing their job. Those accused of criminal
activity must be given due process and a fair trial. Evidence must be
provided, and the accused must be presented with the charges they face
and the opportunity to defend themselves.
Far from being defamatory subversives, journalists who investigate and
criticize their government's actions demonstrate true patriotism,
because no democracy can survive without the open and independent
assessment of public policies that journalists provide. If Turkey, a
major regional power with an ancient cultural heritage, truly wishes
to be welcomed into Europe, to take its rightful place on the world
stage, and, indeed, to remain a democracy, its leaders must not hold
freedom of the press in contempt.
- Alison Bethel McKenzie is director of the International Press
Institute (IPI). Steven M. Ellis is IPI Press Freedom Adviser.
Copyright 2011 Project Syndicate
From: A. Papazian