Opposition parties critical over police raids on media outlets

ANKARA

AFP photo

Representatives of opposition political parties criticized police raids on media outlets of the Koza Media Group on Sept. 1, with a main opposition party forming a commission to examine pressure on media outlets in Turkey.

Minister of European Union Affairs Ali Haydar Konca expressed unease over the raids, saying that he was afraid that an operation against any media group may raise great concerns throughout the world about Turkey being a democratic country.

Objecting to “imposing bans” in the country, Konca said extending freedoms would be the best way to eliminate the “constricted” situation of Turkey.

Speaking to reporters at the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) headquarters on Sept. 1, the minister said he would raise the issue during a cabinet meeting later in the day.

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said that there would be no trace of democracy in a country where its media is silenced.

“Don’t disgrace [Turkey] in the eyes of the world,” he added.

Meanwhile, the CHP formed a commission composed of deputies that are former journalists Enis Berberoğlu, Utku Çakırözer, Barış Yarkadaş and Erene Erdem to examine political pressure on media outlets in Turkey. 

The commission members were set to visit daily Bugün, daily Cumhuriyet and daily Sözcü on Sept. 1.  They will continue visits to daily Zaman, daily Taraf and other media outlets on Sept. 2, the CHP said in a written statement. 

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli said that press in Turkey has long been under pressure and business groups are startled. 

“This is but one bad example. The current course of events will not end well for the country,” Bahçeli told reporters on Sept. 1.