Broadcast vehicle of Murdoch-owned Turkish TV channel pelted over Islam comment

ISTANBUL

Tension has risen a week after the attack against Charlie Hebdo, which claimed 12 victims. The French satirical magazine’s latest issue has been published by a Turkish daily newspaper, Cumhuriyet.

A broadcast vehicle of private station Fox TV, owned by Australian media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, was pelted by an unidentified individual in front of the corporation’s Ankara bureau on Jan. 14.

The attack occurred after Murdoch wrote that all Muslims “must be held responsible until they recognize and destroy their growing jihadist cancer” via Twitter.

Murdoch’s remarks triggered harsh reactions among Turkish government officials, who denounced it as an Islamophobic comment, even prompting Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to compare it to the “Nazi collective punishment.”

Police have launched an investigation into the incident in Ankara, as the assailant ran away following the attack.

The anchorman of the broadcaster’s primetime news, Fatih Portakal, was among the first to condemn Murdoch’s statement.

“I disagree with the remarks made by the chairman of my company. I am a Muslim and I know that terrorism is a crime against humanity, regardless of religion or race,” Portakal said via Twitter.

Tension has risen a week after the attack against Charlie Hebdo, which claimed 12 victims, as the French satirical magazine’s new issue was published by a Turkish daily.

Although the selection of the magazine didn’t include cartoons representing the Prophet Muhammad, many voiced their anger and opposed the decision, particularly through media close to the government and Twitter.