March 11, 2011

Journalism during the time of Ergenekon

Etyen Mahçupyan

The arrests of Nedim Şener and Ahmet Şık have brought a new perspective to the Ergenekon case. Both of these people are award-winning journalists who helped expose a portion of the Ergenekon network and a coup plan.

This is why many people believe that claims about them being members of Ergenekon are absurd and feel there is something else behind their detention. Some people think the two journalists have been arrested because of the book they wrote that contains harsh allegations against the Gülen movement and that they are still interested in probing the activities of the movement. Many felt freedom of the press was being violated and that the Gülen community was using its influence in the judiciary and police to prevent the release of publications that insulted the movement.