Location: Turkey,  Ankara    
Date: June  1, 2022

Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe

Medyascope Ankara correspondent Senem Büyüktanır was obstructed and prevented by the police while reporting a demonstration to mark the killing of activist Ethem Sarısülük, during the Gezi Park protests in 2013. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the Turkish authorities allow journalists to report freely. 

June 1 marks the killing of the activist Ethem Sarısülük in Ankara, during the Gezi Park protests in 2013. Ethem, 26, was shot dead by a police officer while attending the anti-government protests that took place in Ankara. Every year, human rights and trade organizations gather to mark Ethem’s killing in the capital, and police clash with protesters during the events. Today, Medyascope reporter Senem Büyüktanır was reporting the commemoration, which was organized by Democratic Mass Organizations (DKÖ) at the place where Ethem Sarısülük was killed and obstructed from filming the events. On the ninth year of Sarısülük's murder, the representatives of the DKO were planning to leave carnations in Ankara Güvenpark in the morning and were attacked by the security forces. 

The police attempted to prevent the event by banning walking with carnations. Senem was at the scene when the police were intervening in the crowd. Despite stating that she is a "journalist" to the security forces, she was obstructed and pushed by a police officer.

On the other hand, at least four women journalists were not allowed to cover another demonstration to mark Ethem’s killing in Ankara. Artı Gerçek’s Seda Taşkın and Medyascope reporter Cansu Timur were obstructed and prevented from filming the police clashes with demonstrators. Meanwhile, Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporter Emel Vural and Jin News reporter Öznur Değer were not allowed into the area after asking for their IDs.

In Turkey, attacks on the press have become more intense recently. Since the beginning of 2022, 22 female journalists have been subjected to police violence while reporting in the field. Five of them were beaten and detained while they were reporting the events. 

We closely follow an escalating crackdown on the press with great concern. We demand an immediate end to these pressures and interventions from the authorities. We reiterate once again that journalism is not a crime.

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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