Media freedom must be upheld during protests in Turkey, says OSCE media freedom representative
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, warned that the recent detentions and intimidation of journalists are endangering the right to free expression in Turkey.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, speaking at the opening session of the OSCE's Internet 2013 conference at the Hofburg in Vienna, 14 February 2013.
“Journalists continue to put their safety at risk so that the public can be informed about the ongoing demonstrations in Istanbul and across the country. I call upon the authorities to stop intimidating them so that they can continue their important work,” Mijatović said, noting that around twenty journalists had been injured to date, some seriously.
She also expressed concern that numerous Turkish and international media workers had been briefly detained, and some were reportedly beaten or injured for their work. On 16 June, Ferhat Uludağlar and Uğur Can from Doğan New Agency and Okan Altunkara and Gökhan Biçici of IMC TV were detained in Istanbul and then released. On the same day journalists Eylem Düziyol and Fulya Atalay were reportedly beaten by the police while taking pictures in Kurtuluş in Istanbul. On 15 June near Taksim Square police forced photo journalist Cem Türkel of Akşam daily to delete pictures.
International journalists have also been affected: Bulgarian TV journalist Elena Yoncheva was injured by a tear gas grenade; Canadian public service reporters Sasa Petricic and Derek Stoffel were briefly detained; and Russian freelance reporter Arkady Babchenko was beaten and briefly detained.
Police also allegedly targeted with water cannons journalists and cameramen trying to broadcast live.
Mijatović also urged the swift and transparent investigation into the cases of social media users who were detained then released. “I urge the authorities to respect the right to free expression and the public’s right to be informed when investigating social media users,” Mijatović said.
“Freedom of expression in such cases should only be limited if it incites violence. Political messages, including those critical of the government, must not only be tolerated, but protected by the authorities,” she added.
She also noted with concern the fines levied by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) on 11 June on four television channels, Ulusal TV, Halk TV, Cem TV and EM TV, all of which have reported extensively about the protests, for incitement to violence and “violating broadcasting principles”. The stations were fined approximately 5,000 euros each.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
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