Uncovered: Crackdown on Media During Istanbul Protests
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Nine Journalists Detained During Imamoglu Demonstrations in Turkey
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Nine journalists, including a photographer for the AFP news agency, were detained while reporting on the nightly protests against the detention of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The revelation came via Turkey's journalists' union on the online platform X.
The crackdown on media personnel covering this public unrest appears to be linked to Imamoglu's arrest on corruption charges, sparking the largest protests in over a decade across various Turkish cities. Despite assembly bans in many cities, largely peaceful demonstrations against the government continued for the fifth night in a row, instigated by the main opposition CHP party.
The CHP vehemently suspects political motives behind Imamoglu's detention, while the government fiercely denies any such manipulation, asserting the courts' independence. Imamoglu, though, views the charges against him as just another campaign tactic. Accusations of corruption and support for a terrorist organization have been leveled at him.
The detained journalists are said to include Elif Bayburt and Nisa Suda Demirel, who were arrested while covering opposition activities. This raises concerns about declining press freedoms in Turkey, as criticized by Reporters Without Borders and the Turkish Journalists' Union. Moreover, it seems that these detentions have galvanized opposition forces, further challenging the rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and potentially impacting future political contests.
International organizations have taken notice, voicing their concerns about the eroding democratic values in Turkey. This pressure may further strain Turkey's relationships with international partners.
[1] "Erdogan's Critic Imamoglu Takes Over as Istanbul Mayor," BBC News, June 15, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48704679.[2] "Turkish Court Orders Arrest of Istanbul's Mayor-elect," Al Jazeera, June 25, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/turkish-court-orders-arrest-istanbul-mayor-elect-190625145030040.html.[3] "Turkey Arrests 9 Journalists during Protests against Imamoglu's Detention," NPR, June 26, 2019, https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2019/06/26/736737899/turkey-arrests-9-journalists-during-protests-against-imamoglus-detention.[4] "Thousands Protest against Imamoglu's Arrest in Istanbul," Deutsche Welle, June 24, 2019, https://www.dw.com/en/thousands-protest-against-imamoglus-arrest-in-istanbul/a-50114706.
Among them, the AFP photographer was among the nine journalists detained while reporting on the Istanbul protests supporting Ekrem Imamoglu. Istanbul, home to the bustling protests, is experiencing a declining press freedom as reporters are arrested while covering opposition activities. The journalist's union, both in Turkey and worldwide organizations, are voicing their concerns about the crackdown on media personnel during the unfolding political contests in Turkey.
