10 JANUARY "DAY OF WORKING JOURNALISTS"

On 10 Januarary, the Day of Working Journalists, professional media institutions expressed their common concern about journalist being frequently targeted by attacks and authorities turning a blind eye to an environment of violence.

The Press Institution Association-IPI National Committee announced that 10 January is a welcome opportunity to make the voices of the journalists heard. The committee declared: "We call on the authorities to provide all necessary conditions for freedom of work for the journalists, freedom of expression and a life with economic freedom".

IPI National Committee: No legal guarantees but murders...

The committee listed several obstacles that prevent them from celebrating 10 January as a festive days: the murder of journalist Cihan Hayırsevener from Bandırma (southern Sea of Marmara region) on 18 December; turning a blind eye to violence and threats against journalists; failed steps to counteract law articles that restrict press freedom. The committee highlighted that 43 journalists are in jail for their articles.

TGC concerned: Journalists not protected by the law

Another announcement was made by the Turkish Journalists' Society (TGC) on the 49^th anniversary of the Day of Working Journalists. TGC drew attention to the on-going custom of characterizing journalistic activities as crime. "The approach to ignore the truth persists, the truth that democracy can only be implemented with polyphony and freedom of expression", TGC stated.

Moreover, TGC pointed out that in times when personal rights are being dissolved more and more, also the journalists' right to unionized association is taken away from them. "At this year's anniversary, journalists are concerned that they are not protected by the law. They are subject to unjust criticism and accusations, threats, attacks carried out with brutal force, sometimes even fearing the safety of life while they are trying to do a good job".

Journalists join TEKEL protest to "gain strength"

Members and representatives of media business organizations connected to the G9 platform, among them also the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS), visited the TEKEL workers in Ankara who are struggling for personal rights for almost a month now.

The group included Association of European Journalists (AEJ) Turkey representative L. Doğan Tılıç, Contemporary Journalists' Association (ÇGD) Chairman Ahmet Abakay, TGS Chairman Ercan İpekçi and Haber-Sen Central Board Member Osman Köse. The journalists supported the protest march in which slogans such as "The resistant workers never loses", "We will win by resisting resistance" and "Long live class solidarity" were shouted.

In an announcement on behalf of G9 Tılıç said, "There is nothing to celebrate today. We came here today to gather strength from you". (EÖ/VK)