We are excited to publish the new issue of Journalist Post on May 3rd “World Press Freedom Day”. The first issue was published on November 2, 2020 on International Day to end Impunity for Crimes against Journalists”. Along with this excitement, we also see how great and valuable the responsibility we take on our shoulders with the Journalist Post, as we see the violence, threats and torture that journalists are subjected to almost all over the world, especially in Turkey.
“We didn’t know”
May 3 is celebrated worldwide as “World Press Freedom Day” by a resolution adopted by the United Nations in 1993. The main purpose is to emphasize the role of the press in protecting democracy. Thinking that this decision taken in 1993 was a late one, when we witness that writers and intellectuals who express their opinions within the scope of the freedom of expression of journalists were imprisoned, killed and tortured in many countries, especially in Turkey, it is a legitimate question to say what has changed since Magna Carta, which was signed in 1215. In the Magna Carta, where the foundations of law were laid, it was written that “Justice cannot be sold,delayed, no citizen can be deprived of it” Nevertheless, in 21st century, 3 women journalists were killed in the middle of the street in Afghanistan.
According to Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2021 Report, Turkey ranks 146 out of 195 countries. Long storty short, Turkey is in the category of “not free countries”. According to the report, 63 countries are ‘partly free’, while 49 countries are ‘not free’.” The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) announced that 65 journalists worldwide were killed while doing their jobs in 2020, and Turkey ranks first with the number of journalists in prison, followed by China, Egypt, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia.
Journalists are deprived of justice and imprisoned by authoritarian regimes simply because they do their job, want to find the truth, write and help enlighten the people. They spend their years in prisons, being beaten or killed in the middle of the streets simply because they work as journalists without any criminal evidence. In his article, written for Journalist Post, titled “What was the truth?” Journalist Fred Kwint, uses the following wonderful phrase in his article: “Many soldiers captured after the Second World War said:“ Wir haben es nicht gewusst ”, we didn’t know. “
As journalists, it is our sacred duty to make sure no one ever says that again. It’s our job to make sure they know.” We are aware of the responsibility we have for the peace and well being of societies and nations. We are aware that democracy and freedom of the press will not be gained in Turkey or in any other country without a price. Any support you give to the IJA and the Journalist Post will be a roadblock that will prevent someone from saying, “We didn’t know.”
To the genuine World Press Freedom Days, where the press and journalists will be free around the world…
JOURNALIST POST
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