Rehn concerned about free press in Turkey over Dogan tax fine

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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"The pluralism and the freedom of press is a basic principle for every democracy. The legal process against Dogan Yayin Holding raises the concern that this principle is not being respected in practice," ANKA news agency quoted Rehn as saying in response to a motion submitted by Belgian MEP Frank Vanhecke submitted to the European Commission. 

He also said the statements made by prominent Turkish political figures against the press also make it harder to create an atmosphere of full respect to press freedom in the country.

Dogan Media Group, or DMG, was fined around $500 million in tax penalties over claims it had not fulfilled its liabilities on time during the sale of 25 percent of Dogan TV to Germany’s Axel Springer for 375 million euros. Both leading international and local press associations have criticized the move, saying it was aimed at silencing critical reporting.   

Dogan, which owns top-selling dailies, including Hurriyet, a news agency, and network broadcasters, has been the target of harsh criticism from Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who has called on supporters not to buy the group's newspapers after they ran stories alleging government corruption.