ANKARA - Stating that the “Censorship law” came into effect in the earthquake region, TGS Ankara Branch President Sibel Hürtaş said: "Some journalists were instructed to “Do not make earthquake victims talk”.

 

Journalists, who went to the wreckage area after the Mereş-centered earthquakes and reported the developments, faced pressure and obstructions. The crackdown, which began with the detention of journalists in the first days of the earthquake, was followed by fines by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) and blacking out of television screens. According to the data of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); After the earthquake occurred, 4 journalists covering the region were detained and an investigation was launched against two reporters and a commentator. In addition, 6 journalists were harassed or blocked. While a volunteer was detained because of the interview he gave, he was asked, "Did you say to the earthquake victim, "There is no state here, there is no AFAD?"

 

Sibel Hurtaş, Head of the Ankara Branch of the Journalists' Union of Turkey (TGS), made evaluations about the pressures against journalists working in the earthquake zone.

 

'JOURNALISTS ARE PART OF THE WORK'

 

Emphasizing that journalists are a part of the work in the earthquake area, Hürtaş said: “Journalists made publications and announcements from everywhere and tried to help the people who were under the rubble. They expressed the missing parties in the Crisis Coordination and ensured its completion. They fulfilled their public duties. In this sense, their hindrance is unacceptable."

 

CENSORSHIP LAW IS IN EARTHQUAKE AREA

 

Emphasizing that the censorship law started to be implemented during the crisis, Hürtaş stated that there are not only criminal sanctions and threats against journalists. Expressing that there are great dangers in terms of the right to receive information, Hürtaş said: “One of our most important rights is our right to freedom of expression. This is not just a journalist's problem. It is not just a problem related to the earthquake process. It may start to be implemented as a pilot area, but it will continue to be implemented in normal periods as well. We need to protect freedom of expression no matter what, no matter who it is aimed at.”

 

'WE WILL DEFEND THE RIGHT TO INFORM'

 

Stating that they know that some television channels' managers were instructed to 'don't make earthquake victims talk', Hürtaş said: "we know that some television channels' managements were given some settings, 'just give the rescue footage, only broadcast in front of those tents in the coordination center'. Unfortunately, we know that some broadcast managers have developed some censorship mechanisms without the need for any instructions. These are propaganda activities, not journalism. Do not monitor propaganda activities. Keep chasing the truth. Our right to receive information is as important as our right to inform. We will defend the right to inform, but you also protect your right to receive information through these means.”

 

MA / Yusra Batıhan