Turkish PM voices intention to shut down Facebook and Youtube
After a sequence of the implausible corruption incidents allegedly involving some prominent figures in the government and the family, the Turkish Prime Minister seems to have been badly influenced and in fact to the extent of daring to think of closing down global social media sites such as Facebook and Youtube – and most likely Twitter as well although he has not pronounced it, yet.
Having said that, most opinion leaders would have not believed such a statement a few months back as Erdoğan was considered to be a leader in search of advanced democracy for his country and he often slammed opposition for being coup supporters and longing for a Turkey under military tutelage like in the old days.
Now, when one stops to grasp what has happened in the meantime and the dramatic change/difference between what a supposedly democratic leader has said all along and what he has been after and trying to exercise lately, the picture is not better than a nightmare for the people of this country – needless to say for foreign friends who would be happy with a prosperous, democratic Turkey and indeed a Turkey which has become part of Europe.
However, things have not been developing in a positive direction for the ruling party and its almighty leader and in fact the Prime Minister seems to have lost control over his performance which is a comment to be made simply considering his latest comments in regards to banning global social media sites such as Facebook and Youtube.
In an interview on a national TV channel, the Turkish PM has said they ccould and would consider banning YouTube and Facebook as he believes these networks provide basis for “unfair” and illegal propaganda against him and those in his environment to pull him down.
It is a fact that Erdogan and his party AK Party has come under pressure following several audio leaks on social networks and they have already lost quite a percentage of supporters just before local elections. This is considered to be the major reason why Turkey’s prime minister has given warning that his government could ban social media networks YouTube and Facebook -(after a number of online leaks added momentum to a growing corruption scandal).
On the other hand Erdogan has already received very strong criticism at home and abroad for trying to tighten his government’s grip over the internet and limiting rights in the country.
In an interview on Thursday he said “There are new steps we will take in that sphere after March 30, including a ban on YouTube, Facebook”. His ruling Justice and Development Party, or AK Party, has come under mounting pressure since last week, when audio recordings were leaked in which Erdogan and his son allegedly discuss how to hide vast sums of money. Erdoğan dismissed them as a “vile” and “immoral” montage by rivals in the lead-up to crucial local elections on March 30.
On the other hand, the PM has been accusing loyalists of Fethullah Gulen, an influential Muslim leader based in the US, of using his influence in the judiciary and police to engineer a high-level corruption investigation targeting the government since mid-December.
To recap, Turkish leader is going through a very difficult period for himself, his party which may paint a very serious picture for all those involved in the coming days – and not so far either. The most important thing though is, the more he loses control, the worse it could be for the PM as well as the country as this could lead to irrevocable/irreparable undesired moves against the benefits of Turkey.
Editor
07.03.2014
