TGC Condemns Detention of Journalists

The Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) has strongly condemned the recent detentions of T24 Foreign Policy Editor Buse Söğütlü and Oda TV Editor Ceren Erdoğdu. The association issued a written statement denouncing the arrests as a direct assault on fundamental rights.

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Detaining journalists for their professional activities is an intervention not only in the right to personal freedom and security but also in the public's right to be informed and the freedom of the press and expression.

TGC asserted that detaining journalists for carrying out their professional duties infringes not only upon individual liberty and security but also undermines the public's right to be informed and the broader freedoms of the press and expression. The association recalled that the Turkish Journalists' Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities defines the core purpose of journalism as serving the public's right to learn the truth.

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Journalists must be able to fulfill their duty to investigate, verify, and inform the public in the public interest without facing pressure.

"Journalists must be able to fulfill their duty to investigate, verify, and inform the public in the public interest without facing pressure," TGC stated. The association highlighted that Turkey's Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and dissemination under Article 26 and press freedom under Article 28. It also referenced the European Convention on Human Rights and European Court of Human Rights decisions that protect press freedom.

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Depriving journalists of their freedom for professional activities damages the principle of the rule of law.

TGC argued that depriving journalists of their freedom for professional activities damages the principle of the rule of law. The association also noted that if allegations of journalists being denied access to their lawyers are true, it constitutes a violation of the right to defense and a fair trial. The TGC urged for the immediate release of Söğütlü and Erdoğdu, ensuring all their rights are protected. "Suppressing journalists through pressure or the threat of detention for their reporting and commentary in the public interest is unacceptable. Journalism is not a crime," the statement concluded.

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Suppressing journalists through pressure or the threat of detention for their reporting and commentary in the public interest is unacceptable. Journalism is not a crime.