Vienna, 23/07/2016
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) expressed grave concern regarding events that have taken place in Turkey following the failed coup attempt on July 15.
Since the attempt to overthrow the government, allegedly over 6,000 people have been arrested in the country, among them 42 journalists and media workers. Also, 31 academics have been taken into custody, and several hundred staff members from 24 universities have been suspended so far.
The Telecommunications Communication Presidency has suspended and banned several media outlets for their alleged ties to the coup instigators, among which are Mediascope, Gazeteport ABC Newspapers and Haberdar. Journalists and media workers are being accused of having ties with the coup instigators, as well as disseminating terrorist propaganda.
‘SEEMO members are deeply concerned for our colleagues in Turkey and the struggle they go through every day. We fear that this is only the beginning of more serious and more dangerous oppression against them, and hope that the international community will help us preserve and improve media rights in the country at this difficult time’, said SEEMO General Secretary Oliver Vujovic.
SEEMO is a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South, East and Central Europe and its press freedom work is supported by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) project, as part of a grant by the European Commission.