Turkey receives criticism from EU over restrictions on press freedom
Turkey has received criticism from EU Parliament in a draft report over restrictions on press freedom.
The report which was prepared by the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) criticizes the Turkish government over media freedom, citing the limited coverage of Gezi protests, and draws attention to concerns in Turkish society about flaws in the Ergenekon case.
The draft was prepared by Ria Oomen-Ruijten, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Turkey, does not fial to praise the democratization package presented by the government in September and the opening of Chapter 22 with the bloc.
However, the report emphasizes concerns about limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticized the government’s reactions to such events. At this point the report states that freedom of expression and media pluralism are core values for EU and an independent press is essential for a democratic society.
As a very important remark the report also points to the concerns in Turkish society about the excessively wide scope and the shortcomings of the proceedings in the Ergenekon case, which, like in the Sledgehammer case, undermined the acceptance of the ruling. The draft stresses that the KCK case must demonstrate the strength and the proper, independent, impartial and transparent functioning of Turkey’s democratic institutions and judiciary, as well as the firm, unconditional commitment to respect for fundamental rights.
05.12.2013
MEDIA
