JINHA

ANKARA -After the coup attempt, all opposing segments have been tried to oppress by declaring a three-month state of emergency. Esra Koçak from the Journalist Union of Turkey (TGS) Branch in Ankara talked about ongoing operations carried out against journalists. She said that they try to form a single voice to say "long live my sultan". Esra also said that journalists don't have a strong voice and she called on all her colleagues to organize.

A there-month state of emergency was declared in Turkey following the failed coup on July 15, the operations begun by the President and the AKP government to eliminate all opposing segments in all institutions have continued. Six new agencies, 16 TV channels, 23 radio stations, 45 papers, 15 magazines and 29 publishers have been shut in the operations towards the press. Esra Koçak, the vice president of the Journalist Union of Turkey (TGS) Branch in Ankara, made evaluations on the issue and said the President and the AKP government have tried to shut up the voice of all opposing segments.

Esma Koçak stated that a three-month state of emergency was declared following the coup attempt by the government and it has begun to conduct operations following the declaration of the state of emergency. "The important thing for the government is to create its own media organ and a single voice. They want this single voice shout "long live mu sultan". They have shown us one more that they don't have tolerance against the voice of opposing segments, words and news against them." said Esra.

Esra pointed out that the ongoing detentions, violation of rights will destroy the freedom for expression. She said, "Journalists shouldn't be arrested just for reporting news. Investigations shouldn't block the freedom for expression and the press."

Esra also talked about the ongoing state of emergency and said, "This is a declaration of sultanate". Esra called on all journalists to organize in order to raise their voice.

(mc/sy/gd)