Editors of Turkish dailies Star and Akşam removed

ISTANBUL

Ethem Sancak.

Turkish media mogul Ethem Sancak, known for his close ties to the government, has fired three high profile managers of his various media outlets.

Star Media Publishing Group head Mustafa Karaalioğlu, daily Star editor-in-chief Yusuf Ziya Cömert, and daily Akşam editor-in-chief Mehmet Ocaktan were all removed from their posts late on Nov. 24.

Sancak owns several media outlets in Turkey under the Star Media Group, including Kanal 24, daily Akşam and daily Güneş. He is also currently serving as a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Internal Party Democracy Commission.

Murat Sancak, the board chairman of the Star Media Group, said in a statement that the company had decided to “reorganize in order to keep up with the assertive stance and pace of Turkey.”

“Organizational changes are needed for the firm, which aims to be more effective and which places bigger targets in financial terms,” said the statement, adding that the position of publishing head will no longer be open in the new structuring of the group.

Until daily Star’s new editor-in-chief is announced, the position will be filled by Murat Sancak’s deputy. Sancak also voiced his gratitude to Karaalioğlu, who he said “played a role in the firm’s renovation, improvement and development in line with Turkey.”

A number of other positions have also been changed in Star and Akşam, along with the removal of Cömert and Ocaktan, according to the statement.