Turkic American Alliance Condemns Government Takeover of Zaman


Date posted: March 5, 2016

The Turkic American Alliance and its six member federations strongly condemn the Turkish government’s aggressive actions and policies aimed at seizing control of the nation’s media outlets.

On Friday, March 4, 2016 the Turkish government seized control of Zaman Newspaper, the largest and highly circulated newspaper in Turkey. The takeover is a violation of the freedom of press which is vital for every democratic state and requires political intervention from the international community. Hours after police detained prominent businessmen affiliated with the newspaper, Istanbul prosecutors called for the appointment of new management, and a three member board to be appointed by the court. The takeover of Zaman newspaper has resulted to huge protests in Zaman Headquarters in Istanbul and other parts of the country.

In the past 2 years, The Turkish government received international criticism over its treatment of journalists, including putting serious pressure on media outlets for being critical of the government. On October 29, 2015, the government also took over Ipek Media Group on alleged charges of terrorism, suppression of the current regime and alleged financial investigation. Kanalturk and BugunTV were reportedly cancelled on that day as well. In addition, two prominent journalists from Cumhuriyet newspaper are facing potential life sentences on charges of endangering state security for publishing material critical to the government. According to Abdulhamit Bilici, Editor in Chief of Zaman Newspaper, he was very concerned that those speaking against government policies are prone to face court cases or prison. Mr. Bilici also stated that “this is a dark period for our country, our democracy”.

The takeover has already raised huge concern from Amnesty International, Freedom House and other prominent human rights organizations. Freedom House released a statement asserting that the takeover is a “flagrant violation of both rule of law and freedom of press”. Amnesty International’s Turkey expert, Andrew Garner stated that the organization is “deeply troubled” by the recent events and the decline of media freedom in Turkey.

We strongly urge the United States and the European Union take drastic measures to hold the Turkish government accountable for its actions towards press freedom and human rights. We believe that the attacks pose a threat to the country’s ailing democracy and urge the people of Turkey to speak out on political injustice.

Source: Turkic American Alliance , March 4, 2016

Tags: | | | |


Related News

Suspicious deaths, suicides become common occurrence in post-coup Turkey

The number of people who die in suspicious circumstances after being linked to the July 15 coup attempt has been rising with every passing day, a systematic occurrence that is casting a shadow over official statements pointing to suicide. At least 14 people have reportedly committed suicide. The relatives of most of them claim that the detainees are not the kind of people to commit suicide. Rumours also have it that some of the detainees were killed after being subjected to torture under custody.

The more we learn, the more we are the same

During my stay in Turkey, I met with many business leaders and academics that provide funding for schools and universities based on this philosophy. As one businessman told me, “Educated people can understand each other.”

Dozens take to Parliament Hill to protest Turkish human rights violations

Dozens of protesters packed the steps of Parliament Hill Saturday to draw attention to human rights violations against women and children in Turkey, in the wake of last summer’s failed coup.

Gulistan schools in Kosovo to continue education despite its abducted teachers

Gulistan Educational Institutions has declared that they will continue their activities despite their abducted teachers. 5 of their teachers were abducted by Turkish Intelligence Agency in cooperation with Kosovo’s intel agency, which shocked the global education community and protested in many countries including USA, Canada, and UK.

Erdogan’s vendetta against moderate Muslims threatens Turkey’s role in War on Terror

This blatant display of force demonstrates how far Turkey’s increasingly autocratic President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will go to solidify his power and pursue his vendetta against the adversary he fears most: the moderate Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose columns were published by Zaman.

Turks Should Question The Official Narrative That Gulen Was Behind The Coup

I am not trying to absolve one side or the other. The coup attempt was a heinous assault on Turkey’s civilian politics and the plotters must be punished in a fashion that deters similar actions in the future. What I am trying to understand is why everyone agrees that Gulenists did it when there is little evidence and that is even questionable.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Erdoğan hampers girls’ education [by shutting down prep schools run by the Hizmet movement]

Rethinking the state-people relationship [in Turkey]

Russian analyst: Turkey’s claim Gülen was behind envoy’s killing insult to ‘our intelligence’

Turkey’s Deputy PM: 2.4 Pct Of Public Sector Employees Discharged Over Alleged Gülen Links

Likely case against Hizmet will bolster authoritarian character of Erdoğan gov’t

Texans experience Turkish culture by volunteering

Gülen criticizes remarks insulting members of Hizmet movement

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News