Statement from the TGC regarding Furkan Karabay

Journalist Furkan Karabay has been arrested after being detained for his social media posts regarding the investigation process into CHP Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, who was arrested and replaced by a government-appointed trustee.

The Board of Directors of the Journalists Association of Turkey (TGC) issued a statement regarding Karabay's arrest.

The statement, which reacted to the arrest decision, included the following remarks:

“According to the Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of Journalists in Turkey, a journalist has the right to freely access all information sources and to follow and investigate all events that determine public life and concern the public.

Unfortunately, while problems in the prosecution of criminals shake Turkey's agenda, journalists are being pressured through detention and arrest simply for reporting the news.

Most recently, 10Haber reporter Furkan Karabay was arrested due to his news reports and tweets regarding the arrest of Esenyurt Mayor Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özer and the appointment of a trustee. We protest the arrest of our colleague.

We demand his release as soon as possible. Accusing, filing a lawsuit against, and arresting a journalist for sharing news with the public is against the law. Stop preventing the citizens' right to know the truth by arresting journalists.

Journalism is not a crime. We once again inform the public that we stand in solidarity with all our colleagues who ensure that the truth reaches our citizens in accordance with universal journalistic principles and who are being subjected to pressure.”

TGC: Do not prevent the citizens' right to know the truth by arresting journalists. The Board of Directors of the Journalists Association of Turkey issued a statement regarding the arrest of #10Haber reporter #FurkanKarabay. The statement included the following views: STATEMENT: https://t.co/Szzvy3mdyc pic.twitter.com/4cUujHMLIu

— TGC (@TGCTr) November 10, 2024

News Source: 12punto