Media Censorship in Turkey Triggers Public Reaction

Digiturk media platform stopped providing broadcasting services of seven TV channels: Bugün TV, Irmak, Kanaltürk, Mehtap, Shaber, Samanyolu and Yumurcak. It is believed that these channels were banned because they could criticize undemocratic policies of AKP government. It is very strange that even Yumurcak TV, which is a channel providing programs and animation to small children, is also banned. Among other Yumurcak TV is also accused of spreading ideas terrorism and cause social disturbance. Moreover there is no court decision that justifies the decision to close these 7 TV channels. In fact elections are approaching and many experts, journalists, lawyers, leaders of opposition parties see this as an attempt to prevent public’s right to have free access to information. CHP Istanbul deputy Barıs Yarkadas claims that decision to remove seven TV channels lacks any legal or moral grounds. “Digiturk made this decision based on the request of a prosecutor who acts on [government] orders. … As the AKP [another name for the AK Party] sees its desperation, it resorts to more pressure and censorship.”