2023-06-26 17:16:11
The European Turkish Journalists Association, whose short name is ATGB, „Journalism is Not a Crime! Merdan Yanardag Must Be Released!” issued a press release.
The one-to-one statement of the European Turkish Journalists Association (ATGB) is as follows:
„TELE1 Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardag was detained after his private broadcast where he talked about the plot against TELE1. Disturbed by the publications of TELE1 and the independent media, the government deepens its repression and censorship attempt.
With the detention of TELE1 Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardag, the oppressive approach of the government is clearly seen. How else can one interpret the launch of an investigation on the charge of “praising the terrorist organization” after the “fictional video” circulated by trolls on social media!
Merdan Yanardag participated in a special on TELE1, where he talked about his words being taken out of context and republished the unreleased footage. Merdan Yanardag cut the words used in the program of AKP and its trolls and talked about the operation they carried out against TELE1.
TELE1 Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardag spoke as follows on the subject in the live broadcast:
There is an operation against TELE1. It’s a caliper operation that started last night and was carried out on my behalf. Supposedly I praised the terrorist organization and the criminal act, this is the claim. There is an accusation campaign on one of our publications, built entirely on fiction, montage and slander.
I did not praise any terrorist organization, nor did I praise any terrorist organization leader. I have no such intention or intention. In that program, I said that AKP deputy Galip Ensarioğlu is trying to start a new solution process and open a new space for the AKP, whose power has narrowed. One of the answers I gave to the questions in the four questions and 4 answers program 6 days ago was Ensarioğlu’s debut.
I also put forward my comments on this topic on the agenda What I said mainly; I made an assessment stating that an AKP wants to start a new solution process, is preparing an amnesty to Apo, but because Öcalan is in isolation, we do not know about the ongoing bargaining, and that such strict isolations are not implemented in execution laws in democratic countries. And mainly, I criticized the AKP’s preparations for an amnesty in the new period and its attempt to regulate politics in Turkey through Abdullah Öcalan. I emphasize again; I am a patriotic and socialist journalist. As I will not defend any terrorist act, it is not possible for me to praise it. There is no praise, on the contrary, there is an ironic criticism of AKP’s praise, you will see.
The evaluation I made in the 4 Question 4 Answer program on Tuesday last week, that is 6 days ago, is found 6 days later. An attempt is made to turn it into an attack and a plot against TELE1, me and Turkey’s democratic public opinion and forces through us.
Merdan Yanardag was detained by the police who came to TELE1 after his speech in the live broadcast above.
As ATGB, which has been operating throughout Europe since 2002, we call out to the whole world that ‘Journalism is not a crime’. We want everyone to know that journalists in Turkey are not alone.
In an environment where the media is under government control in Turkey and independent and free journalists are silenced by the new censorship law, it is unthinkable for us to remain silent.
They cannot intimidate or intimidate journalists by detaining Merdan Volcano.
Merdan Volcano must be released immediately.
Journalism Is Not a Crime
The free press cannot be silenced!
End censorship in Turkey, freedom for journalists!
Journalists in Turkey are not alone!
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the European Turkish Journalists Association (ATGB)
Recai Aksu – Chairman“
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