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2,308 journalists lose job amid post-coup attempt crackdown

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At least 2,308 journalists have lost their jobs after the government shut down more than a hundred of media outlets since the July 15 failed coup attempt, according to a joint statement made by press associations on Friday.

Condemning the detention and arrest of journalists during the state of emergency declared in the aftermath of a coup attempt in July, the statement said that the journalists are being made victims of the post-coup process.

“Detention warrants have been issued for around 200 journalists, and 107 of them have been arrested. Due to the shutting down of media outlets, 2,308 journalists are now unemployed. In addition, journalists are also being targeted with baseless accusations,” read the statement.

The statement, released by the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC), the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS), and the press workers’ union of the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK), said: “The media in Turkey opposed the coup attempt, but freedom of information is being violated 55 days after the attempt in the state of emergency.”

It also noted that 115 permanent press cards and 660 press cards have been canceled by the Prime Ministry’s Media Press and Information General Directorate (BYEGM) since the coup attempt, while journalists holding grey service passports are now obliged to apply for authorization from the BYEGM to travel abroad.

“We insist that journalism is not a crime. Journalists are the voice and the conscience of the people. It is the government’s duty to guarantee a free environment in which journalists can practice their profession,” the statement added.

 

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