OSCE media freedom representative concerned over closure of three newspapers and one TV station in Turkey, calls on authorities to restore media pluralism

VIENNA, 9 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his concern regarding the law decree issued in Turkey on 8 July, which closed down three newspapers and one TV station, in a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

“I call on the Turkish authorities to reconsider this unjustified measure, which further restricts pluralism of the media. It is of utmost importance to respect freedom of expression and media freedom as well as to restore a pluralistic media landscape in the country,” Désir said.

On 8 July, the Turkish government issued Decree No. 701 which, among other things, envisages the closure of the Özgürlükçü Demokrasi, Halkın Nabzı and Welat newspapers as well as the Avantaj TV station, over their alleged ties and associations with terrorist organizations or structures, formations or groups that are operating against the national security of Turkey. According to media reports, all their assets have been transferred to the Treasury.

The Representative’s last public statement on the Özgürlükçü Demokrasi case in March is available at www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/376567