Turkish journalists condemn raids against media

A Turkish journalists’ association condemns raids and violence against media organizations and journalists both during and in the aftermath of Friday’s failed coup.

The coup plotters took control of state broadcaster TRT during the uprising and forced a newscaster to read a statement declaring that they had seized control. The headquarters of private CNN-Turk channel and Hurriyet newspapers were also raided.

Photojournalist Mustafa Cambaz was killed while protesting the coup.

A Turkish police special forces APC arrives at the scene where the Ankara governor's office says a military officer was detained after he shot and killed the driver of a vehicle he had hijacked, at Ulus district in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) — A Turkish police special forces APC arrives at the scene where the Ankara governor’s office says a military officer was detained after he shot and killed the driver of a vehicle he had hijacked, at Ulus district in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

The Turkish Journalists Association, or TGC, says it condemns the attempts “to eliminate parliamentary democracy, the people’s basic rights and freedoms and the freedom of press or expression.”

The TGC also says the media played a role in countering the coup “despite being subjected to attacks, repression and threats.”

— AP