JINHA

ISTANBUL - Journalists, writers and intellectuals launched the "Editorship-in-Chief on Watch" campaign for Özgür Gündem Daily to show solidarity against oppressions and investigations. 108 journalists stated that they are ready to be editor-in-chief after TİHV President Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, writer Ahmet Nesin, and the Reporter without Borders (RSF) Turkey representative Erol Önderoğlu were sent to jail for taking part in the campaign of solidarity with Özgür Gündem daily.

Journalists, writers and intellectuals launched the "Editorship-in-Chief on Watch" campaign for Özgür Gündem Daily to show solidarity against oppressions and investigations on Özgür Gündem daily. 108 journalists made a press statement after TİHV President Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, writer Ahmet Nesin, and the Reporter without Borders (RSF) Turkey representative Erol Önderoğlu were sent to jail for taking part in the campaign of solidarity with Özgür Gündem daily yesterday. 108 journalists announced that they are ready to be editor-in-chief. ETHA reporter Arzu Demir made the statement in behalf of journalists. Arzu said, "We are ready to be editor-in-chief. We continue to be in solidarity with Özgür Gündem. The people those who said that society cannot be free without the freedom of the press, became editor-in-chief; however, their fate become the same with daily. They were indicted, bill of indictment was prepared against them and they were arrested. People have right to obtain information. Journalism isn't a crime."

One of editors of the daily Zana Kaya began to speak after the speech Arzu Demir. Zana said, "The attacts are against journalism and democracy. We'll break the attack with solidarity." Cumhuriyet daily writer Ayşe Yıldırım, meanwhile, said, "They tried to break the solidarity yesterday. However, they failed to do so. The solidarity is growing." Editor-in-chief of AGOS Yetvart Danzikyan noted that the ongoing period is the oppressive regime and the journalism cannot be handcuffed. Free Journalists Association (ÖGC) co-cahir Hakkı Boltan said, "They attacked due to the solidarity; however, this attack has raised more solidarity. Jailed journalists must be released."

(ödk/dk/gd)