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Dead Constitution See other Dead Constitution Articles Title: Rage Over Erdogan Prohibiting Press Freedom Rage Over Erdogan Prohibiting Press Freedom by Stephen Lendman Outrage followed Erdogans latest blow to press freedom, taking over Turkeys largest circulation broadsheet - Zaman and its English language Todays Zaman edition, a brazen example of police state viciousness. Human Rights Watch (HRW) called the takeover Erdogans latest attempt
to silence critical media. Amnesty International (AI) blasted what it called the latest deeply troubling episode in the Turkish authorities ongoing onslaught on dissenting media. By lashing out and seeking to rein in critical voices
Erdogans government is steamrolling over human rights. A free and independent media, together with the rule of law and independent judiciary, are the cornerstones of internationally guaranteed freedoms which are the right of everyone in Turkey. In its annual report on human rights, AI documented the deplorable state of things in Turkey. Free expression and assembly are curtailed, media pressured relentlessly to support regime policy. Excessive police force is rampant, torture and abuse in detention notorious, an independent judiciary virtually nonexistent. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed outrage over Zamans takeover, its executive director Joel Simon, saying the move
paves the way to effectively strangle the remnants of critical journalism in Turkey. International Press Institute (IPI) Advocacy and Communications director Steven Ellis called Fridays action extremely troubling, saying Turkey under Erdogan appears
willing
to muzzle (anyone) dar(ing) to criticize (regime) policies - especially when revealing state-sponsored wrongdoing. World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers director Andrew Heslop condemned Erdogans move, saying (w)e stand in solidarity with our friends and colleagues at Zaman in categorically denouncing this latest (regime) assault on press freedom
Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire said Erdogans interference in the media has reached a new level, condemning what he called illegitimate and intolerable. Peaceful protests continued on Saturday, riot police attacking demonstrators with tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets, able to cause serious injury or death. RT Internationals Paula Slier was caught up in what happened, saying weve been heavily tear- gassed, so we ran for cover
People
are wiping their eyes. Some are sitting on the ground trying to recover. Unknown numbers of injuries and arrests followed. On Friday, a rubber-stamp regime controlled court ordered Zamans takeover. Erdogan-designated trustees replaced management, staff forcefully removed from the broadsheets offices, some in handcuffs. Zamans Internet connections were cut, removal of its web content underway. War on free expression rages. Erdogan wants all criticism of his policies stifled, especially revelations of state-sponsored wrongdoing. Obama and John Kerry remain silent, partnering in Erdogans worst crimes. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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