Threat to media freedom in Turkey worrying: report
ISTANBUL: EU candidate Turkey needs to take urgent measures to uphold freedom of expression and the media to address a “particularly worrying” situation, the Council of Europe commissioner for human rights said on Tuesday.
Thomas Hammarberg welcomed recent changes to Turkey’s constitution seen has having a positive effect on freedom of expression, but said the letter and spirit of the constitution still hindered the full respect of pluralism.
“The situation of freedom of expression and media freedom remains particularly worrying. Urgent measures are needed to uphold these rights and foster a more tolerant atmosphere towards criticism and dissent,” he said in a report on Turkey.
The report was released as European Union Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele arrived in Turkey for talks with the business sector and government officials.
Ankara’s bid to join the bloc has ground to a virtual stop in the face of opposition from EU heavyweights France and Germany and obstacles generated by the ongoing division of Cyprus between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. reuters
via Daily Times – Leading News Resource of Pakistan – Threat to media freedom in Turkey worrying: report.