DİYARBAKIR - Tomorros is May 3 World Press Freedom Day. Turkey, which ranks 154th in 180 countries in press freedom still has more than 100 journalists behind bars. Representatives of professional organizations, stressed that journalists in Turkey are in a position where they are worse than dead.
With a decision taken by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, May 3 was determined as World Press Freedom Day all over the world. However, journalists and professional organizations, also draws attention to the pressure on journalists in Turkey and all over the world. May 3 does not mean much in Turkey which ranks 154th in the press freedom among 180 countries. Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform (MKGP) spokeswoman Ayşe Güney, Tigris Euphrates Journalists Association (DFG) Co-Chair Serdar Altan and Turkey Journalists' Union (TGS) Diyarbakır Representative Mahmut Oral drew attention to the situation of the press in the World Press Freedom Day.
MKGP Spokesperson Ayşe Güney, stated that May 3 means a lot to them as they started the platform on May 3, 2017. Reminding that despite the intense attacks of the government on press, the press has its own way to set itself free, Güney said: "Kurdish press leads the free press tradition. We can't speak of freedom in Turkey but we can speak of the journalists' struggle to create freedom. The free press that conveys the truth no matter how violent and oppressive the government gets, made this their principle. That's why these journalists remain firm even though they are constantly being detained or arrested.
DFG Co-Chair Serdar Altan, who stated that the government is trying to create a monistic press by oppressing free press, said: "Journalists used to be assasinated, not they are in a position worse than dead. Let alone reporting news, journalists have to think first before sharing their ideas on social media. Journalists get arrested for their reports or their social media posts. And like these are not enough, they are trying to make a law for this. Its on the agenda these days. The resistance reflex of the free press merges with the reporting reflex. Their every attack comes back to them as resistance. Free press will be the guarantor of freedom in all terms and conditions."
TGS Diyarbakır Representative Mahmut Oral said: "The government in no way can stand the truth being written. They have files about all of us that they use when necessary. They are trying to scare the journalists away with these files and threats of arrests. The craze initiated by the government continues with the bosses. Journalists are experiencing a chronic situation in terms of employment. Many of our colleagues are either fired or forced to go abroad." Oral who stated that a reactionary system is being created, demanded that the journalists in prison to be released.
MA / Fethi Balaman