Halk TV writer İsmail Saymaz announced that DW Türkçe’s work permit, which allows it to open an office as a foreign company representative, was not extended, and that it will therefore close its office at the end of March.
Saymaz wrote, “There are branches of foreign state-owned broadcasting organizations in Turkey. Some are internet portals, some are radio stations. Among these, Germany’s Deutsche Welle Turkish news portal is the one that enrages the AK Party government the most.”
ACCESS DENIED
Last year, DW Turkish’s internet access was blocked on the grounds that it had not applied for a television broadcasting license. Since then, DW Turkish has been accessed via VPN or other links.
Saymaz reported the following in his article:
‘REJECTED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF COMMUNICATIONS’
“Now, the work permit that allows DW Turkish to open an office as a foreign company representative has not been extended. DW Turkish applied to the Ministry of Industry and Technology last February for an extension of its two-year work permit but was rejected 10 days ago on the grounds that it had chosen the wrong field of activity, in line with the opinion of the Presidential Communications Directorate.
DW Türkçe is closing its office at the end of the month. Its reporters and editors will not be employed and insured, but will be able to produce copyrighted content.”
IJA: AKP government sees foreign journalists as a threat!
The ruling AKP regime in Turkey continues to impose new bans to silence the voices of journalists and the media. In Turkey, where elections are just around the corner, the working conditions of journalists and media organizations are becoming more and more difficult. As the International Journalists Association e.V., we demand an end to the pressure on media organizations, especially DW Türkçe, whose work permit has been banned.