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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Turkey Journalists Angered After NATO Summit Exclusion

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Turkish journalists and media outlets are expressing anger after being denied accreditation for an upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.
  • Several targeted outlets are known for their critical stance towards President Erdogan and his ruling party.
  • NATO is in contact with Turkish authorities regarding the accreditation issue, emphasizing the importance of media access.

A significant number of Turkish journalists, media organizations, and unions have voiced strong disapproval after being denied accreditation to cover a crucial NATO summit scheduled to take place in the Turkish capital next month. Prominent media outlets, including the Cumhuriyet newspaper, Halk TV, Sozcu TV, and the website T24, are among those excluded.

It is very important for NATO that media can attend major events in person.

— Allison HartNATO spokesperson Allison Hart commented on the importance of media access to major events.

These targeted media organizations are widely recognized for their critical reporting on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP). They are often associated with secular and left-leaning viewpoints, aligning with the opposition Republican People's Party and its historical figurehead, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart acknowledged the situation on X, stating that the bloc is actively communicating with Turkish authorities concerning the accreditation process. Hart stressed NATO's commitment to ensuring media presence at major events, highlighting its importance for transparency and public engagement.

The denial of accreditation applications from a large number of media outlets is worrying in terms of press freedom.

— Turkish Journalists AssociationThe Turkish Journalists Association expressed concern over the denial of accreditation.

Press freedom advocates have condemned the Turkish authorities' decision, labeling it an "alarming" move. The Turkish Journalists Association expressed concern, noting that the denial of accreditation applications from numerous media outlets is troubling for press freedom. They argued that this action potentially violates the core principles of "democracy, individual freedom, and the rule of law" enshrined in NATO's founding treaty. The Turkish government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the accreditation denials. Turkey currently ranks 163rd out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, with press crackdowns intensifying particularly after the 2016 coup attempt and the 2013 Gezi Park protests.

With this decision, NATO has violated the principles of 'democracy, individual freedom and the rule of law' emphasized in its founding treaty.

— Turkish Journalists AssociationThe Turkish Journalists Association criticized the decision as a violation of NATO's founding principles.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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