Turkey Summons Journalists for Reporting on, Well, News
Turkey's 'justice' system is once again flexing its authoritarian muscles, summoning journalists Mert Saraç, Tolga Şardan, İnanç Özkaya, Mustafa Yılmaz, Ferit Aslan, and Emir Ekici. Their crime? Reporting on allegations (from government-appointed inspectors, no less) that Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and dozens of city officials were arrested in March over corruption. This isn't news, it's a
pattern. Erdoğan’s government has a long, documented history of jailing journalists – Turkey ranks among the top jailers globally, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, targeting dissent with an almost Soviet-era enthusiasm. Remember the widespread arrests following the 2016 coup attempt? Thousands detained, media outlets shut down – this is just business as usual. So, the state
investigates corruption within its own municipalities, but reporting on said investigation warrants a legal threat against the press. One might wonder if the real 'crime' wasn't exposing corruption, but exposing corruption tied to a prominent opposition figure. In Erdoğan's Turkey, it seems the truth is only welcome if it's reciting the official narrative. How many journalists must be silenced
before the international community stops offering 'deep concerns' and starts demanding accountability?