Protests were held in many cities against the detention and arrest of journalists, the appointment of trustees to media organizations, and access bans imposed on news websites and social media accounts. In the demonstrations held at the call of press professional organizations, demands were made for the release of imprisoned journalists and an end to interventions against press freedom.
JOURNALISTS GATHERED IN KADIKÖY, ISTANBUL
In Istanbul, thousands of people gathered in front of the Bull Statue in Kadıköy at 12:00 PM at the call of press professional organizations. The protesters expressed their reaction to the practices against press freedom with the slogan, "No to censorship, freedom for news."
In the area, slogans such as "Journalists are imprisoned, funded ones are free," "İsmail Arı is our honor, İsmail will be released and will write again," and "Freedom for Murat Ağırel" were chanted.
The crowd gathered in front of the Bull Statue then marched towards the Pier Square (İskele Meydanı).
"WE DEFEND THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO BE INFORMED"
The journalists marching to the Pier Square stated that they are against the closure of news websites and social media bans.
The following statements were made during the march:
"We defend the public's right to be informed. We are together against the closure of news websites and social media bans. As hundreds of journalists who took to the streets today, we shout out all together: We are not afraid, we are not silent, we do not obey!"
CALL FOR FREEDOM FOR IMPRISONED JOURNALISTS
In the press statement held at the Pier Square, it was expressed that journalists should be able to practice their profession freely. The statement noted that remaining silent about the silencing of one journalist means forgetting that a similar situation could happen to others one day.
Press professional organizations and journalists demanded the release of their imprisoned colleagues, an end to the appointment of trustees to media organizations, and a halt to the attacks that eliminate press freedom.
The statement included the following:
"Release our imprisoned colleagues, end the practice of appointing trustees to the media. Stop the attacks that eliminate press freedom"
Messages from imprisoned journalists were also shared during the protest.
PROTESTS HELD IN MANY CITIES
In addition to Istanbul, protests were held in many cities, primarily in Ankara, Izmir, Eskişehir, Antalya, Adana, Kocaeli, Van, and Diyarbakır.
The protests expressed reactions against the silencing of television channels and news websites, the appointment of trustees to media organizations, and the imposition of access bans on the social media accounts of journalists, experts, and citizens sharing news.
In Ankara, journalists and press professional organizations gathered at Kolej Square and marched to Sakarya Street. Throughout the march, slogans such as "A free press cannot be silenced" and "İsmail will be released and will write again" were chanted.
Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) Ankara Branch President Sinan Tartanoğlu read the message of imprisoned BirGün reporter İsmail Arı to the participants.
Stating in his message that he is being held in prison for practicing journalism, Arı said:
"I estimate that I will go down in press history as a journalist who was arrested for the second time in the same year, at the same courthouse, and on the same charge. I am being held in prison just because I practiced journalism. Many of my colleagues are inside. We will defend journalism to the end. Take your hands off us now, comply with the Constitution. Let us do our job"
JOURNALISTS MARCHED TO THE PORT IN IZMIR
A press freedom protest was also held in Izmir. The crowd gathered in front of the Türkan Saylan Cultural Center marched towards the Port with the slogan, "No to censorship, freedom for news." YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel also supported the protest.
During the march, slogans such as "Journalists are imprisoned, funded ones are free," "İsmail Arı is our honor, İsmail will be released and will write again," and "Freedom for Murat Ağırel" were chanted.
News Source: 12punto
