On May 3, World Press Freedom Day, European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) President Mogens Blicher Bjerregård was the guest of our association.
Bjerregård President addressed the detained journalists: “I promise you, we will continue our efforts to support press freedom in the European Journalists Federation and Turkey. We will be following of any signal from your authorized or dialogue to find solutions to contribute free press in Turkey.
Mogens Blicher Bjerregård also spoke about the imprisonment of journalists, despite the danger of the Corona virus with the Law of Enforcement. “Today, I will give a strong message to your presinden Erdoğan to give you your freedom immediately and to create a new beginning on press freedom in Turkey” said he in his message.
The entire message of EFJ President Bjerregård:
Press Freedom is a fundamental pillow for our democracies because we need pluralistic, impartial media and we need them for the citizens to take part in developments on our democracies across the World. This is why we are celebrating the UN press freedom day the third may. Unfortunately, many journalists have not much to celebrate. We are thinking of those of you behind bars in Turkey arbitrarily imprisoned for doing your job as critical journalists. Your fellow citizens need you in media to provide them with your reports on broadcast, online or in newspapers not in jail.
The European Federation of journalists is following the cases of each of you not only on May third but every day. We are in close contact with your organizations in Turkey and international NGOs and intergovernmental organizations to put pressure on your authorities to release you and let you do your job.
3 years ago when the case started I was there in Istanbul followed the hearing and get the understanding this is just not one of our many cases and get some ideas on your severed situation. It is appealing how loose they are used, misused to keep you silent.
I promise you, we in the European Federation of Journalists will continue our work supporting you and supporting press freedom in Turkey we will be aware of any signal or dialogue from your authorities to contribute and finding solutions for free journalism in Turkey. It is also our grade that was prisoners released because of COVID-19. You were not among those regardless of how free media and Professional journalists are needed.
Today, I will send a strong message and appeal to your state president Erdoğan to release you now and create a new start in press freedom in Turkey which we in the EFJ would be happy to support. I wish you’ll be all free.
