Turkey: Cancelation Of Journalists’ Press Cards — A Blatant Attack On Press Freedom
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: January 25, 2020Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Turkish authorities have invalidated the press cards of hundreds of journalists who work for newspapers Evrensel and Birgün. We demand that the Turkish government act with more transparency regarding the cancellations and ensure that the process of obtaining press cards is non-partisan. They must provide a clarification to justify their action.
Last year, on July 1, 2019, the Directorate of Communications changed the color of the cards from yellow to turquoise. The change required journalists to get their cards renewed; card holders had until yesterday to apply for renewal. Despite seeming like a normal change, the 'update' has taken a more sinister shape. Renewal applications of several journalists have been rejected without a clear reason, with the result being the cancellation of their press cards. Furthermore, older press cards now stand null and can no longer be used.
While journalists may work without press cards in the country, their work becomes significantly more difficult if they have to do so. This does not only limit their access but has implications for their safety as well.
CFWIJ has learned that the press cards of all employees of Evrensel -news publication- were cancelled yesterday. Women journalists whose cards were revoked include Editor-in-Chief Şengül Karadağ Bayhan, photojournalist Sevil Atar, as well as correspondents Derya Dursun, Elif Ekin Saltık, Elif Görgü, Emine Uyar, and Nazire Yaşar.
Press cards of several Birgün newspaper’s employees have also been cancelled. No information was given to the paper as to what went wrong.
Gökhan Durmuş, chairperson of the Journalist’s Union of Turkey (TGS), is also one of journalists whose press card has been cancelled. TGS has released a statement condemning the revocation.
“Currently, the press cards of hundreds of journalists have been cancelled. Among the journalists whose cards have been canceled, there are hundreds of representatives of professional organizations and local media workers. Especially in Ankara, those whose press cards were canceled could not enter the Parliament, the Ministries or follow the political party representatives… The Directorate has to clarify this issue as soon as possible and explain to the journalists who have been carrying this card for years, why their cards have not been renewed and what the reasons are for the cancellation,” read the statement.
When speaking with CFWIJ about the development, Gülfem Karataş, a member of the Women and LGBTI+ Commission of TGS said, "The government has been trying to decide who is a journalist under the scope of accreditation for years. Journalists whose press cards were canceled after the failed coup were arrested, and the government said they were not journalists. We have been defending freedom of information for years and we say that journalism is not a crime. At the point we have reached today, the Directorate questions the journalism that our colleagues are practicing. The employees of Evrensel, whose press cards have been canceled, are working for freedom of information for the public too. No one will never be able to silence journalists, we will continue to fulfill our profession against all odds."
The Turkish government is yet to provide an official explanation for their action.
We condemn this move by the Turkish authorities and demand an explanation as to how canceling dozens of press cards has been justified. Journalists in the country are already working in precarious conditions and the revocation of their press cards will only add to their troubles.
Authorities in Turkey must stop with their prejudiced tactics against the press, especially independent journalists and media outlets.
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The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world, and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the incidents in Turkey with great concern. Since March 8, Women's Day, police violence against women journalists increasingly continues in the country. As the coalition, we urge the Turkish state to provide a free environment for journalists. Following the news is our most fundamental democratic right to report. We demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues. Journalism is not a crime. Journalism cannot be prevented.
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