Minister of Justice: Yellow Press Cards of 889 Journalists Cancelled in 2016

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Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP and State Economic Enterprises Commission member Ömer Fethi Gürer’s parliamentary inquirt concerning the imprisoned journalists and the number of journalists whose yellow press cards were cancelled in 2016 have been responded by Minister of Justice Abdülhamit Gül.

The same response: They are not imprisoned due to journalistic activities

Concerning the imprisoned journalists, Minister Gül stated that the journalists are not imprisoned due to their journalistic activities but are in prison on charges of “being a member of an armed terror organization” and “attempting to abolish the Constitutional order”.

Gürer: An unnamed process of censorship and crackdown

Making a statement upon the ministry’s response, Gürer said, “A vast majority of the journalists in prison are detained on remand due to journalistic activities. It has become impossible to speak of freedom of the press in our country”.

Stressing that “an unnamed process of censorship and crackdown” continues, Gürer added, “The journalists must immediately be enabled to practice their job”. (EA/TK)