The government is abandoning local press to death: 'What will happen to the freedom of information?'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman responsible for Media and Public Relations, Burhanettin Bulut, stated that the local press will face the danger of extinction following the Presidential Circular on austerity measures and the Social Security Institution's (SGK) decision to increase the sales limit for advertisements provided to local media.

Pointing out that the only income for local press comes from newspaper subscription sales, advertisements, and official notices received through the Press Advertisement Agency (BİK), Bulut noted that the local press will struggle to survive due to the clause in the circular stating, "No advertisements or commercials will be given to press and broadcasting organizations, no daily newspaper purchases will be made by public institutions and organizations in any way, and no subscriptions will be made to publications not related to their field of duty."

"WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE PUBLIC'S FREEDOM OF INFORMATION?"

Noting that local newspapers, which make a significant contribution to the public's freedom of information, are the most important elements of democracy and the strengthening of democracy through a pluralistic and free press, Bulut stated that the local press, which acts as the voice, eyes, and ears of the region, is an inseparable part of the struggle for democracy. Bulut indicated that local newspapers, which are in a difficult situation due to the economic crisis, high input costs, and low advertising revenue, but are trying to continue their publication life through sacrifices, have become unable to cover their monthly expenses or pay their staff's salaries.

"LOCAL MEDIA IS LOSING STRENGTH"

"It is a known fact that the local press, which serves the public's right to information, is suffering from financial problems," said the CHP's Bulut, and continued:

"Local media is losing strength as newspapers close one by one, defeated by the economic crisis. The final nail in the coffin of the local press, which is struggling for survival, was driven by the Presidential Circular. On top of that, the SGK increased the sales limit for advertisements given to local newspapers through the Press Advertisement Agency from 500 thousand liras to 2 million 500 thousand liras. Advertisements with a sales value below 2 million 500 thousand liras will no longer be published in local newspapers."

END WASTE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

"Without subscription sales, advertisements, and official notices received through the Press Advertisement Agency, the local press cannot sustain its existence. However, when it comes to austerity, those who do not economize on their own prestige and extravagance think of the local press first, and when they say 'tighten your belts,' they mean the citizens. The billions of liras given to contractors with foreign currency contracts, to the Currency-Protected Deposit scheme, and to interest payments are not considered. Waste in the public sector cannot be prevented by ending local newspaper subscriptions and cutting advertisements."

THE GOVERNMENT MUST PROVIDE SUPPORT

Calling on the government to provide support so that local television stations, newspapers, and radio stations can continue their broadcasting life, Bulut requested that incentives be expanded to include the local press.

NO AUSTERITY FOR MERCEDES

Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, who banned the use of vehicles such as Audi and Mercedes and removed shuttle services for civil servants as part of public austerity measures, has become a topic of discussion due to his official vehicle.

Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek's arrival at the "Fighting Inflation and Central Banking" panel, which was also attended by former Central Bank Governors of Poland and Hungary, in a Mercedes S-400 made a mark. In the images shared on social media, it was stated that the value of Minister Şimşek's official vehicle ranges between 13 million and 20 million TL.

News Source: 12punto