Turkey: CFWIJ Condemns The Anti-Semitic Hate Speech Against Journalist Karel Valansi
Location: Turkey
Date: March 19, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The Salom Newspaper columnist Karel Valansi was deliberately targeted with anti-Semitic hate speech by pro-gov newspapers on the anniversary of Gallipoli Victory. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is dismayed by the racist hate speech against Karel. We stand with the journalist and demand an apology from the news outlets.
The Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu commemorated the March 18 Gallipoli Victory, in his official Twitter account including all the defenders except the Jewish community. Thereafter Şalom Newspaper columnist Karel Valansi replied to his post by kindly reminding that he did not mention the Jews while counting the defenders of the victory. The pro-govt newspapers, Takvim, Yeni Akit and A News targeted the journalist with anti-semitic hate speech after her post.
Ekrem İmamoğlu took to Twitter to commemorate Gallipoli Victory and said, “We know each other through our eyes, we have been side by side for thousands of years, together we are a homeland. Turkish, Kurdish, Alevi Sunni, Lazi, Circassian... We made Çanakkale impassable.” Karel Valansi also reacted to the fact that the Jews were not remembered in the defence of Gallipoli and replied to İmamoğlu’s post saying that "We are not invited to the wedding again."
Responding to this, Mayor İmamoğlu stated that Valansi was justified in her reaction and said, "Like our Jewish citizens, all faiths and identities who took part in the Çanakkale Front. They fought for our independence and are noble citizens of this country, they are their hosts."
After this dialogue, pro-govt newspapers targeted Karel Valansi with anti-Semitic hate speech. Karel was subjected to hate speech as a ‘foreigner’ and addressed their readers with the words, "Never forget the name Karel Valansi". Responding to a Jewish person is shown as inappropriate in the newspapers’ post.
Despite the daily reminders of how dangerous institutional displays of racism can be, it appears those authorities do not get the message. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns these brutal, racists and discriminating speeches against Karel Valansi. We stand with Karel and demand an apology from her. We believe that a world free of discrimination and racism will bring peace, respect and happiness. We urge all the news outlets to continue using a language that is equal, fair and prioritizes human rights.
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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.
Follow us on Instagram @womeninjournalism and Twitter @CFWIJ. Our website is WomenInJournalism.org and we can be reached at press@womeninjournalism.org
Yine düğüne davetli değiliz @Rivokhay https://t.co/5SSqTdtdrr
— Karel Valansi (@karelvalansi) March 18, 2021
Gazi yakınını tehdit eden Ekrem İmamoğlu, Türkiye'de çalışan Yahudi gazeteci Karel Valansi’ye aşırı saygı duyması dikkat çekti https://t.co/mNhzNqnTHy
— Takvim (@takvim) March 18, 2021
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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