Reaction from the Progressive Journalists Association to Nebi Hatipoğlu: 'We condemn this disrespectful attitude'

AKP's Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality mayoral candidate Nebi Hatipoğlu scolded an Es TV reporter who was filming at the Emine Cahide Karaali Secondary School, where he arrived to cast his vote, by saying, "What are you filming, son?"

The Eskişehir branch of the Progressive Journalists Association (ÇGD) criticized Hatipoğlu's behavior. In a written statement issued by the ÇGD, it was stated, "We condemn this disrespectful attitude of Hatipoğlu, who censored and scolded our colleagues, and we invite him to apologize to all members of the press."

The full text of the written statement by the ÇGD Eskişehir branch is as follows:

"AK Party Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality mayoral candidate Nebi Hatipoğlu prevented members of the press, who wanted to get his comments as they do with every candidate before the voting process, from doing their jobs and imposed censorship on the press.

"WE CONDEMN HIS DISRESPECTFUL ATTITUDE"

We would like to remind Hatipoğlu, who adopted a disrespectful attitude toward members of the press by saying, 'You are a media outlet for the CHP,' of Article 28 of the Constitution, which states, 'The press is free and shall not be censored. Freedom of the press also includes the freedom of people to convey their ideas to others through newspapers, magazines, radio, or television.'

Our colleagues in the press, who have followed political party candidates throughout the entire election process and worked without regard for office hours, only wanted to do their jobs today, as they always do. We condemn this disrespectful attitude of Hatipoğlu, who censored and scolded our colleagues, and we invite him to apologize to all members of the press."