Every year, the 10th of January is marked as the “Working Journalists’ Day” in Turkey, however, over the past few years, the designated day has become an insult to journalists, rather than celebrating their profession.
At least 150 journalists and media workers are currently imprisoned in Turkey.
Journalists on Twitter used the hashtag #kutlamıyoruz (we are not celebrating) to protest the growing crackdown on free speech and media in Turkey.
Professional organizations also issued statements along that vein.
In its statement on Jan. 10, DİSK- Basın İş, the press arm of the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers’ Unions, said 161 journalists were imprisoned according to its figures. “We can only see Jan. 10 as a day to elevate the fight for a free press and humane working conditions, not as a day to celebrate,” a statement from the union said.
The Turkish Journalists’ Union (TGS) also released a statement, which included an overview of the history of media professionals’ fight for union rights. It criticized media bosses who opposed the introduction of a privileged social insurance system for journalists 30 years ago, saying “The media order that they wanted to create had no room for unions or those protecting their own rights. Words like pay raises, overtime or bonus, were banned. Journalists were forced resign from their unions, they were intimidated with being sacked and jungle rules were put in place.”
The union said that Turkish media has “hit the bottom,” but noted that the situation offers an opportunity “to rise up again.”
Turkish Journalist Association (TGC) President Turgay Olcayto also made a statement, calling on the ruling party and opposition parties “to remove the barriers to freedom of press and expression, free imprisoned journalists and stop treating journalism as a crime.”
Olcayto also called on other media workers, saying: “We need more solidarity. Journalists should also stop targeting their colleagues.”
He said almost one out of every three journalists had been left unemployed in the last 10 years, some 145 of which were currently imprisoned, highlighting the dire situation of journalists in the country.
“As journalists frequently face legal challenges, their second address has become the courthouse. Journalists cannot practice their profession. And among our journalist colleagues, the membership rate in unions is very low. In Europe, this rate is at least 25 percent, whereas in Turkey, it is only 5.9 percent. The loss of blood in the sector continues as critical journalism is not allowed to happen,” Olcayto said.
Working Journalists’ Day has been celebrated in Turkey since 1961.
