Journalist Allegedly Threatened by PM's Chief Advisor

When journalist Murat Aktaş forwarded a question to the Chief Advisor of the Prime Minister, Turan Erol, he was told "Don't make this kind of news, your newspaper might be closed". Aktaş is working for Objektif newspaper, a local daily published in Amasya, a province in central Anatolia close to the Black Sea.

Erol was present at a meeting held by Abdullah Cengiz Makas last week. Makas had announced his nomination as the Justice and Development Party (AKP) MP candidate for Amasya. The chief advisor of Prime Minister Erdoğan answered journalist Aktaş's questions during a separate session at the office of Provincial AKP Chair Hicabi Abhçuvan.

Erol is the former head of the Capital Markets Board (SPK). While he answered questions related to economics, he did not comment on questions regarding journalists in custody and detention, Aktaş conveyed later on.

The journalist also mentioned the concern on press freedom voiced by the US American Ambassador and asked whether the Prime Minister's reply would have any effect on the country's economy.

According to Aktaş, Erol answered, "Do not make this kind of news; your newspaper might be closed down".

Journalist Aktaş commented, "In my opinion, these words can be linked to the pressure applied by the AK Party against the other members of the press on the Turkish agenda. It is the same sort of attitude.

"I think that a journalist should be on the side of the truth. You will face difficulties if you are a dissident journalist. I was criticized by the boss of the newspaper in the past because I had made a dissident news item on the local government".

Chief Advisor Erol disclaimed the allegations in a written statement, "The statement attributed to me personally is not true. My attitude exhibited during the duties I assumed in the past and present clearly shows my sensitiveness for press freedom", he wrote and put forward that his "obligation to care" had been violated. "I will take legal action against news and comments that follow personal and subjective aims", Erol announced. (EÇ/EÖ/VK)

Sources: Birgün and Milliyet newspapers.