WAN-IFRA expresses concern over G-20 accreditation restrictions for media outlets

ISTANBUL

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum have expressed their concern over the government’s refusal to grant accreditation to some media outlets for the Nov. 15-16 G-20 Summit in Antalya.

Daily Zaman, Today’s Zaman and the Cihan News Agency have not been granted accreditation, while daily Taraf did not apply, the statement issued on WAN-IFRA’s website said.

“WAN-IFRA and WEF are seriously concerned that the Turkish government may be using journalists’ accreditation as a tool of censorship. A government should not deny access to media seeking to report on an event of immense national and international importance to punish them for their editorial opinions. In doing so, it is denying journalists their right to do their job and is preventing the free flow of information in the public interest,” the statement said.

The organization also urged authorities to take necessary steps over accreditation problems at the summit, pointing to freedom of expression along with the deteriorating state of press freedom in the country amid recent attacks on media outlets and the detention of journalists.

“The organizations calls on Turkish authorities to take all possible steps to ensure that accreditation is not used as a tool to censor critical media. WAN-IFRA calls on the government to respect the universal right of freedom of expression,” the statement added.