- Title: Turkey shuts 20 radio, TV channels in post-coup decree
- Date: 30th September 2016
- Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (SEPTEMBER 30, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS WORKING INSIDE IMC TV STUDIO VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS WORKING INSIDE IMC TV MASTER CONTROL ROOM VARIOUS OF SCREENS SHOWING PROGRAMMES AND LOGOS INSIDE CONTROL ROOM VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS WORKING INSIDE IMC TV MASTER CONTROL ROOM VARIOUS OF MANAGEMENT TEAM TALKING IN MEETING ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) GENERAL COORDINATOR OF IMC TV, EYUP BURC, SAYING: "It shows this (coup attempt) creates another coup led by Erdogan. Like all other authoritarian systems, the first target becomes democratic groups. Actually now, this undemocratic, authoritarian regime targets democratic groups. Before targeting these groups, they want to silence the media which is their voice. Probably after that, they will eliminate all democratic groups as happens in all coups." VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS WORKING INSIDE IMC TV OFFICES (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) REPORTER AT IMC TV, GULFEM KARATAS, SAYING: "When you look at those 12 TV channels which they shut down, they were representing different voices, like TV 10 and Hayat TV. TV 10 was Alevi's voice, Hayat TV was representing labour forces, IMC TV was the voice of democracy, peace and liberty, Zarok TV was the voice of children. So alienated and opposition group voices have been eliminated." VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS WORKING INSIDE IMC TV OFFICES
- Embargoed: 15th October 2016 13:38
- Keywords: Turkey media television radio coup attempt emergency decree
- Location: ISTANBUL, TURKEY
- City: ISTANBUL, TURKEY
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice
- Reuters ID: LVA00151RDHDZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Turkey has ordered the closure of 20 television and radio stations, including one that airs children's programmes, on charges they spread "terrorist propaganda", adding to fears that emergency rule is being used to stifle the media.
President Tayyip Erdogan has said he wants a three-month state of emergency, imposed after a failed coup attempt in July, to be prolonged past October so authorities can eradicate the threat posed by a religious movement blamed for the attempt, as well as Kurdish militants who have waged a 32-year insurgency.
The banned channels are owned or operated by Kurds or the Alevi religious minority, according to Hamza Aktan, news editor at IMC TV, a news broadcaster slated for closure. He cited a copy of the decision obtained by his channel, which was based on powers given to the government in a decree issued in July.
IMC has aired reports looking at security forces' conduct during 14 months of military operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has killed thousands.
Among the 12 television channels closed are Govend TV, which plays folk music, and Zarok TV, which airs Kurdish-language children's cartoons. The decree will also shut 11 radio stations, ostensibly for harming national security. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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