Hard to Be Journalist in Kobane, Police Violence Resumes

Media professional organizations Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) and DİSK-affiliated Basın-İş condemned the intervention of police forces to media workers in Suruç and Kobane.

Reporters have recently been subjected to police violence with tear gas and water cannons as they attempted to cover the clashes between YPG forces and ISIS on the border.

“Protestors of ISIS as well as media workers are subjected to police violence. They can’t perform their profession,” TGS said in a statement.

Claiming that police and soldiers attempted to detain media workers, TGS said media workers were assaulted even they showed their credentials.

Reported insulted, threatened, assaulted, detained

A group soldiers reportedly stopped the live coverage vehicle of TV10, attempting to detain journalist Turabi Kişin. While the reporter was saved by other onlooking coworkers, TV10 vehicle was affected by water cannon damage.

Other policemen threatened media workers affiliated with DİHA and said: “DIHA, don’t run away. We will show you otherwise.” Özgür Gelecek newspaper reporter Ruken Derya Çelik was detained on the border to Kobanê.

Insulted by policemen, Gün TV reporters based in Diyarbakır area were assaulted  and threatened with death. Hürriyet newspaper reporter suffered from foot injury due to a tear gas canister. A live coverage vehicle of IMC TV also suffered from tear gas canister damages.  

DİSK Basın-İş: We don’t want violence

Reminding the killing of Firat News Agency reporter Deniz Fırat by ISIS, DİSK Basın-İş Union said: “From now on, we don’t want to see anyone being hurt not only journalist.” (EÖ/AS/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.