Turkish defense minister slams foreign media over Egypt coverage

GÜMÜŞHANE – Anadolu Agency

Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz also criticized Western societies, saying they only act like 'self-democrats.' AA photo

Turkish Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz has condemned the foreign media over its lack of coverage of the killings in Egypt, saying the media has not shown the same sensitivity that it has for “whales at the pole” or “seabirds in the gulf.”

“They call it a double standard. Calling it a double standard about what the foreign media did even falls short. Hundreds are dying in Syria. Do you ever hear about it? Or in Egypt?” Yılmaz told Anadolu Agency.

“Did you see any live broadcast on CNN or BBC?” Yılmaz asked, referring to Egyptian people’s rallies across the country. “I guess they show [those incidents] like an ordinary events. The foreign media doesn’t show the sensitivity that they have shown to whales at the pole or seabirds in the gulf to the Egyptian people.”

The minister also criticized Western societies, saying they are presently acting like “self-democrats.” “They accept democracy as a luxury for this region when those who do not act in concert with their own framework and perspectives win elections. This is what is happening in Egypt or Palestine,” he added.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also recently criticized international media outlets for their coverage of Egypt. “Where are those who made a fuss when Turkish police used water and tear gas in a very righteous and legitimate manner in terms of the massacre and coup in Egypt? BBC and CNN, who covered the violent demonstrations in Istanbul for hours, why aren’t you covering [Egypt]?” he said.