TGC: We call on the government to act in accordance with the Constitution and freedom of expression

Following statements by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli targeting press organizations and journalists in particular, a statement has been issued by the Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC). The statement said, "As the Journalists Association of Turkey, we want the citizens' right to receive information to be protected and for detained journalists to be released. We once again call on the government to act in accordance with the Constitution, the Press Law, and freedom of the press and expression, and to ensure the safety of journalists."

The written statement issued by the Board of Directors of the Journalists Association of Turkey included the following remarks:

“According to the Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of Journalists in Turkey, a journalist is obligated to be the voice of the victim, the powerless, the poor, the marginalized, and those who cannot make their voices heard. A journalist exercises press freedom honestly in the name of the public's right to receive accurate news and information. To this end, they must fight against all forms of censorship and self-censorship and inform the public in this direction. A journalist's responsibility to the public takes precedence over all other responsibilities, especially those to their employer and public authorities. Information, news, and free thought, unlike any commercial good or service, possess a social character.

'BAHÇELİ HAS THREATENED OUR COLLEAGUES'

However, the government, which controls the majority of the media, prevents the production of news, keeps citizens uninformed, and attempts to normalize existing negative conditions and keep actions that harm the public interest out of sight. On November 26, 2024, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli threatened our colleagues by stating, 'I announce that we are taking note of media outlets, especially Halk TV, and their bosses one by one, and when the time comes, we will make them pay dearly.'

On the same day, journalists Roza Metina and Ahmet Sümbül were detained in Diyarbakır; Erdoğan Alayumat (freelance), Bilge Aksu (freelance), Tuğçe Yılmaz (Bianet), and Suzan Demir (Gazete Duvar) were detained in Istanbul; Mehmet Uçar (freelance) was detained in Batman; and Bilal Seçkin (freelance) was detained in Ankara. In its meeting held on November 27, 2024, RTÜK imposed 13 separate sanctions, including 3 percent administrative fines and broadcast suspensions, on Halk TV, Flash Haber, Tele 1, Sözcü TV, NOW TV, Star TV, Show TV, Kanal D, S Sport, Exxen, and TV8.

The arbitrary detention, threatening, and arrest of journalists to suppress freedom of the press and expression, and the regular punishment of media organizations by RTÜK for the purpose of censorship, is a disgrace to democracy. It is an obstruction of the citizens' right to receive information. As the Journalists Association of Turkey, we want the citizens' right to receive information to be protected and for detained journalists to be released. We once again call on the government to act in accordance with the Constitution, the Press Law, and freedom of the press and expression, and to ensure the safety of journalists.”