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

Erdoğan’s plan to contain corruption scandal

Despite the obstacles he has orchestrated for those pursuing the investigations, Erdoğan has never been able to gain enough traction to shift the debate away from corruption since Dec. 17. He must now be running on fumes.

The tragic story of a Turkish family fleeing to Greece from persecution

When the body of the 5-year-old Aylan Kurdi was found in the Greek island of Kos in 2015, Turkish president Erdoğan said: “What has drowned in the Mediterranean is not only the refugees. Humanity has drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.” However, President Erdoğan didn’t say a word about Turkish family’s tragedy, who were fleeing from the persecution of his own regime this time.

[Political Scandal a la Turca] What is happening in Turkey right at this moment?

Responding to the allegation that the Hizmet community is behind the investigation, and to a broader one suggesting that the Hizmet movement is fighting the AKP government, both Mr. Gülen himself and the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), based in İstanbul, denied any such motivation or involvement. Furthermore, they invited the state authorities to prove those allegations, and take legal action if any evidence is found substantiating them. Mr. Gülen’s lawyer condemned and rejected the allegations as an attempt to divert public attention away from the massive bribery scandal and defame his client.

British politician Duff: So easy for some Turkish media to misreport

In a written statement to Today’s Zaman, the veteran British politician Andrew Duff, who is also the president of the Union of European Federalists, underlined that during the interview with Sabah, he also praised the “charitable works of the Hizmet movement and the fact that many honest businessmen and decent democrats were members of the movement” while also stressing the need for more transparency.

Politically motivated police raid of kindergarten in west Turkey

The witch hunt against the opponents of the government continues and is growing. In another instance of a government-orchestrated operation targeting the faith-based Gülen movement, popularly known as the Hizmet movement, the police along with inspectors conducted raids around 6 am on Tuesday at dozens of institutions owned by the Yamanlar Educational Institutions, which was established by volunteers of the movement in the western province of İzmir.

[Event of the Week] Gülen breaks his silence, responds to allegations

Having stayed largely silent in the face of relentless attacks amounting to hate speech by beleaguered Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was incriminated in a massive corruption scandal, Fethullah Gülen spoke to Today’s Zaman and provided his account of how he sees the recent events in Turkey in his first interview with the Turkish media since Dec. 17.

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’s way: scare, divide and rule

Erdogan in East Africa to fight against Gulen

Gülen Movement Discussed in Malaysia Seminar

PakTurk schools organise Pakistan’s largest mathematics Olympiad

Syrian refugees worry about housing as winter approaches

Arab world should embrace the Gülen model

Turkish president approves closure of schools run by Erdogan rival

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News