Ahmet Hakan writes on 'the unspoken side of the Instagram ban': A striking warning to the AKP
Hürriyet Editor-in-Chief Ahmet Hakan, known for his proximity to the government, issued a warning to the ruling party in his column titled 'The unspoken side of the Instagram ban.' Stating that the platform's users are 'apolitical' individuals, he warned the government by saying, "If you ban an entirely apolitical medium for an entirely political reason... you turn apolitical people into your enemies."
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The access ban imposed on Instagram by the BTK (Information and Communication Technologies Authority) remains in effect.
As the Instagram ban enters its eighth day, no announcement has been made regarding when the platform will be reopened.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated in his latest remarks, "It does not make us very happy that it remains closed. We do not want it to drag on for too long either. We have held 3 meetings and have reached a certain point. Negotiations are ongoing, and we are in constant communication."
AHMET HAKAN'S TAKE ON INSTAGRAM: YOU TURN APOLITICAL PEOPLE INTO YOUR ENEMIES
Regarding the issue, Hürriyet Editor-in-Chief Ahmet Hakan, known for his proximity to the government, issued a striking warning to the AKP.
Stating that Instagram users are apolitical individuals, Hakan said, "If you ban an entirely apolitical medium for an entirely political reason... you turn apolitical people into your enemies."
Here is Hakan's column titled 'The unspoken side of the Instagram ban':
"INSTAGRAM users are generally apolitical people.
That is why they cannot understand the reason for the Instagram ban.
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It is true.
Instagram has implemented shameful censorship.
It has emerged that they have cracked down on posts that did not suit their interests.
With this attitude, they have shown that they are not a freedom-loving medium at all.
All of that is true.
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But there is a painful reality:
Apolitical users, unfortunately, are not interested in this shameful censorship.
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If you ban an entirely apolitical medium for an entirely political reason...
You turn apolitical people into your enemies.
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The dominant world of Instagram is a complete abyss of apoliticism.
It is not a place where a political stance can find a response.
It is very difficult for the condemnation of Haniyeh's assassination to find a response in a place where those who are not very concerned about Israel being a child-killer congregate.
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If I were in charge, I would not involve political sensitivities in such apolitical media.
Because there is no response. Because there is no impact. Because there is no audience.
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Because Instagram is closed...
There are those who have postponed their weddings, those who have given up on their vacation plans, and those who cannot find joy or taste in life.
They want to show off, and when they cannot show off, they cannot enjoy what they are doing.
This is the audience you are dealing with because of the ban.
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You can tell this audience 'But Instagram is also very censorious' as much as you want.
Could it have any effect?"