Turkey's ruling party moves to limit press freedom

ISTANBUL

Hürriyet photo

Members of the ruling Justice and Development Party have proposed a series of changes to the Constitution Conciliation Council that may gravely limit press freedom in Turkey, daily Hürriyet reported.
 
The proposed changes will allow the government to limit press freedom in a variety of scenarios that include cases of "national security" and "public morals."
 
Public order, prevention of crime and ensuring the objectivity of judicial authorities may also be used by the government to interfere with the press, the daily said. Publications containing "child abuse, sexual content and violence" will also be open to state limitation.
 
The abolition of laws exempting publication houses from providing financial securities and permits before opening were also proposed by AKP deputies.
 
The AKP proposal also foresees the ending of laws regarding the "protection of tools of press," allowing police forces to confiscate all materials from locations as diverse as publication houses and press vehicles.