Cult members threaten Halk TV crew in İzmir: Support from IGC for journalists filing complaints

The İzmir Journalists Association protested the incident and stated, 'Cults and religious communities cannot hinder the public's right to receive news; our struggle for press freedom will continue.'

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Cult members threaten Halk TV crew in İzmir: Support from IGC for journalists filing complaints

In the Karabağlar district of İzmir, administrators of a Quran course, allegedly belonging to the İsmailağa Community and operating without authorization in a building subject to a demolition order, intervened against a Halk TV crew attempting to report on the site.

Individuals who forcibly entered the vehicle carrying the Halk TV crew threatened journalists Yağmur Beril Varol, Şahin Karaşahin, and transport officer Erkan Aydın, and attempted to force them to delete the footage they had recorded. İzmir Journalists Association President Dilek Gappi went to the police station following the incident to support the journalists who filed complaints.

In a statement released by the İzmir Journalists Association, it was said, "This aggressive attitude that endangers the safety of our colleagues is unacceptable.

This attack on media workers, who carry out their profession under difficult working conditions, has once again laid bare the threats against press freedom and the safety of journalists in Turkey.

As the İzmir Journalists Association, we reiterate once again that we will not allow anyone who hinders the public's right to receive news and interferes with our colleagues to pass, and we repeat that we stand behind our colleagues at all times and under all circumstances.

Let it be known that our struggle against those who disregard press freedom will always continue. We will never compromise in the fight against reactionaryism in Turkey."

News Source: 12punto