December 19, 2014

Zaman Editor Dumanlı: Free media will not remain silent even if all gagged

The editor-in-chief of Turkey's best-selling daily, after being released pending trial in a government-orchestrated police operation, has vowed that the Zaman daily will continue to challenge the government's pressure over the media.

Reactions grow against gov’t-led crackdown on media

Reactions to the government-supported crackdown on free media through detentions and arrests, which aims to silence and intimidate certain media outlets, especially Zaman and STV groups, for reporting on the corruption allegations against the ruling party, continue to grow.

People across country protest media oppression and arrests

People across the country have come together to protest the government's continuing crackdown on the free media and the arrest of Samanyolu TV General Manager Hidayet Karaca and three police chiefs.

Head of TV channel arrested over script of soap opera that aired 5 years ago

An İstanbul criminal court of peace established by the government following two major graft probes that went public in December 2013 ruled for the arrest of Hidayet Karaca, Samanyolu Broadcasting Group (STV) general manager, based on evidence that came from a soap opera script.

Court rules for release of Zaman chief editor, Samanyolu manager arrested

A Turkish court ruled on Friday to release the editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily, five days after he was detained on charges of forming and leading an armed terrorist organization.

Prosecutor asks why Zaman’s editor published two columns and a news article

As part of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government's efforts to crack down on independent media outlets that are critical of the government, Ekrem Dumanlı, the editor-in-chief of the nation's best-selling daily, has been charged with "establishing and administrating an armed organization" under anti-terrorism legislation based on two op-ed pieces and one article published in his newspaper five years ago.

The state should become transparent, the media should not keep silent

Kemal Burkay*

The operation on Dec. 14 against a number of journalists and scriptwriters, including Zaman daily Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı and Samanyolu Broadcasting Group General Manager Hidayet Karaca, raised some concerns about media freedom within domestic and international circles. It is, of course, natural for the judiciary to investigate any illegal acts committed by suspects who were placed under detention if there is strong evidence to substantiate claims of their criminality. However, operations staged to silence and intimidate journalists, whose job is to comment on and analyze what is happening, cannot be endorsed. Such attempts weaken the state of confidence in the country and aggravate the tension.

Volunteer doctors to perform surgeries in Mali under leadership of Kimse Yok Mu

Antalya’s Manavgat Medical Foundation’s (MASADER) volunteers in cooperation with Kimse Yok Mu Foundation (KYM) will perform cataract and fistula, a postnatal disease in women, surgeries in Mali.

Kimse Yok Mu caring for Kyrgyz orphans

Kimse Yok Mu Foundation extended yet another helping hand to the orphan in Kyrgyzstan. The foundation received a group of them for an exclusive ceremony at the Ataturk-Alatoo University in the capital city Bishkek. The orphans were served dinner first and then watched the university students’ shows in their honor.