Reports say Turkey moving to seize another media group

[MowCowWhoHow III]

Source: International Press Institute

VIENNA, March 4, 2016 – The International Press Institute (IPI) today expressed deep concern over reports that Turkey’s government plans to take over and silence the opposition Zaman Media Group.

Reports have indicated that the government has appointed a trustee to seize the group and oversee it, repeating a similar move the government made in September when it took over the opposition Koza İpek Media Group in advance of parliamentary elections.

Both groups are reportedly linked to the movement headed by Muslim cleric and former Justice and Development Party (AKP) ally Fethullah Gülen, which the government labelled a terrorist group in the wake of a wide-ranging, but since-suppressed, 2013 graft probe implicating a number of AKP lawmakers. AKP leaders argue the probe was a “coup” attempt based on fabricated evidence.

IPI Director of Advocacy and Communications Steven M. Ellis said the latest reports were “extremely troubling” and he called on representatives of foreign governments to firmly condemn the Turkish government’s efforts to silence its critics.

Read more: http://www.freemedia.at/newssview/article/reports-say-turkey-moving-to-seize-another-media-group.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Turkey seizes control of Zaman newspaper linked to Gulen

A Turkish court has put Zaman newspaper - a vocal critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - under state control.

Administrators have been appointed to run the newspaper. There is no explanation for the court's decision.
...
In a statement, Zaman said the country was going through its "darkest and gloomiest days in terms of freedom of the press".

It expressed "deep concern" at the latest court order - the culmination of pressure for more than two years on Turkey's "highest circulating newspaper, Zaman, and its sister publication Today's Zaman". It said the pressure had been through "accreditation bans, tax inspections, meddling with its advertisers and threats to its readers".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35729114

This is big. I reckon todayszaman.com is the website that DU has used most often for English language reports from Turkey.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Turkey police raid critical Zaman newspaper in Istanbul

Turkish police have raided the offices of the opposition Zaman newspaper, hours after a court ruling placed it under state control.

Police entered the building in Istanbul late on Friday, firing tear gas at protesters who had gathered outside.
...
Later, hundreds of Zaman supporters gathered outside the newspaper's offices to protest at the state takeover. One held a placard saying, "We will fight for a free press."

Police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the protesters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35730041