Turkey Journalists’ Society (TGC) Board of Directors made a statement after Vice President Fuat Oktay answering a question about the cancellation of press cards in the Turkish Grand National Assembly announced that 685 press members had canceled their cards.
The statement included: “During the period of the General Directorate of Press and Broadcasting, it was clearly announced to the public whether journalists had received a press card or not. Since the Presidency of Communication has taken over the issue of press cards, it is not clear who has received or will receive press cards and who has been canceled for what reason. The Press Cards Commission meets behind closed doors without informing journalists. This situation works very well in the countries where the idea of democracy is settled. A new blow to the severe problems of journalists in Turkey comes from the Communications Department.
The press card is a document that will remove the obstacles in front of our friends who practice journalism. In this respect, we urge the Communications Department to pay close attention to the issue once again, to keep the institution open to the public and to fulfill its obligations towards journalists. ”
