January 11, 2015

Turkish journalist federation slams gov’t press profiling

Turkish Journalists Federation President Nazmi Bilgin, slammed gov’t profiling of journalists and discriminative press accreditation policy.

94 journalists critical of gov’t denied permanent press cards

Government-led arbitrary practices against journalists critical of the government have entered a new phase after 94 veteran journalists -- many of whom work for the Zaman, Samanyolu, Cihan, Taraf and Bugün media outlets -- were denied permanent press cards, regardless of their eligibility.

Police kept crucial documents from court to support plot against media

The government-orchestrated plot to muzzle the independent media outlets Zaman daily and Samanyolu Broadcasting Group was revealed when police investigators kept crucial evidence from the prosecutor and the court in İstanbul that heard the case against journalists Ekrem Dumanlı and Hidayet Karaca.

Former CHP leader refutes claim of Hizmet link to his sex tape, implies gov’t involved

The former leader of the main opposition party has dismissed a claim by a former top intelligence figure that a sex tape which led to his resignation was a plot against him conducted by the faith-based Hizmet movement.

Turkey's Bank Asya to sell Tamweel Africa Holding stake

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's Bank Asya, which suffered a run on deposits last year after it became embroiled in a political feud, said it was selling its 40 percent stake in Tamweel Africa Holding for 31.8 million euros ($37.7 million).