MUSTAFA KULELİ / SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE JOURNALISTS’ UNION OF TURKEY
Journalism can only fulfill its public duty where democracy exists. Therefore, we must also fight for Democracy for free media. Because Turkey does not fit into the dictatorship shirt on which it is wanted to be worn. Turkey is bigger than Erdogan.
There is a cruel despot and he forcibly silences those who think differently.” Someone who looks at our country from the outside will probably think so; Yes, Erdogan has all the power in Turkey. But somehow this one man is constantly complaining about something and is not responsible for any negativity(!).
According to him, there is a constant problem of survival in the country and we are surrounded by enemies. That’s why his supporters should be on constant alert. Anyone who opens their mouth should be silenced on the grounds that they pose a threat to the security of the country. Oh, right, crack voices can’t be allowed in the event of such mobilization…
In Turkey, anyone who does not swear allegiance to Erdogan is demonized by absurd accusations and heavy hate speech. A clique focused solely on maintaining its power is becoming aggressive as the social support behind it wanes. Even a single message that you retweet on social networks
can lead to “counterterrorism” then police can be raiding your house in the morning and detaining you. Journalists who disturb the power are physically attacked, intimidated by cases, or imprisoned. The slightest social objection is immediately suppressed by violence. Lives are being blacked out for” making
terrorist propaganda despite not being a member of a terrorist organization.”
This situation leads to automatic control of journalists and journalist organizations that are in favor of democracy, as well as all critical actors. An entire opposition, at least half the country, is acting within the boundaries drawn by Erdogan to protect itself from this oppression and violence. Because the courts are not independent, and the police force of the state have become the police force of the Erdogan regime. The Constitution, laws, decisions of the Constitutional Court, even decisions of the European Court of Human Rights are suspended. So, how do we get out of here?
Hate produces hate. If Erdogan is fed by tension, polarization and conflict, we must insist on negotiations and reconciliation. Instead of imposing our preferences on each other, we must create a new social consensus. In order to spread the culture of democracy, we must patiently raise fundamental rights
and freedoms.
Journalism can only fulfill its public duty where democracy exists. Therefore, we must also fight for Democracy for free media. Because Turkey does not fit into the dictatorship shirt on which it is wanted to be worn. Turkey is bigger than Erdogan. The people of Turkey will eventually defeat tyranny and despotism.