Turkish media has not stood up enough against Bashar al-Assad: PM Erdoğan

WASHINGTON

The Turkish prime minister, who is ending a four days visit to the United States, also criticized the media for not reacting strongly against the CHP leader's words likening him to Bashar al-Assad. AA photo

The Turkish media has failed to take a stand against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was quoted as saying May 19 while speaking with a group of journalists during an official visit to Washington. 

“Through the process, even our print and visual media haven’t stood against [Syrian President] Bashar [al-Assad]. Moreover, there are [media] which act together [with the al-Assad regime].” 

Erdoğan also said the media’s reaction to the main opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s words likening him to al-Assad was not strong enough. 

“The media should have made more reports against the main opposition leader, who labeled this country’s prime minister as a ‘murderer,’” he said.

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) head said last week that there was “only a difference of shades” between Erdoğan and al-Assad, adding that both were oppressive leaders.

He held Erdoğan accountable for the loss of lives in the border town of Reyhanlı. “The murderer of the 51 people who died in Reyhanlı is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He is responsible for that,” Kılıçdaroğlu said, in remarks for which Erdoğan has already said he would sue.

Kılıçdaroğlu then answered that he would be glad to settle accounts before the courts. 

“He is going to refer me to the court over my accusations. In fact, I am very glad [about it]. Do you know why? Because that way we will shed light on what happened in Uludere,” Kılıçdaroğlu told reporters May 18, referring to the military airstrike that killed 34 civilians in the southeastern province of Şırnak in December 2011.