21.04.2026 16:02
The Turkey Press Federation condemned CHP Chairman Özgür Özel for using a threatening language towards media representatives at the Ataşehir rally. It was also emphasized that Özel should apologize to the media representatives.
The Turkey Press Federation (TÜBAF), chaired by journalist Sinan Burhan, announced that they condemned the threatening language used by the Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel towards media representatives at the Ataşehir rally.
In the written statement, it was noted that the profession of journalism involves the responsibility of obtaining information based on news sources, verifying it, and sharing it with the public in the interest of the public good. It emphasized that journalists do not produce news arbitrarily, but rather publish it after confirming it from different sources and passing it through professional ethics and moral filters.
TARGETING JOURNALISTS IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH COMMON SENSE
The statement said, “In this context, the targeting of certain media organizations, particularly A Haber and TGRT, at the mentioned rally and the use of expressions suggesting that there will be 'accountability' confirms the concern that they will create a 'revenge of the past' in the public. While expressing support for media freedom on one hand, targeting journalists is incompatible with both democratic values and a sensible political understanding.”
PRESSURE AND THREATENING LANGUAGE ARE UNACCEPTABLE
The statement highlighted that press freedom is one of the cornerstones of democratic societies, stating, “Any form of pressure, threat, and attempts to target media representatives are unacceptable.”
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES
The statement called for, “Therefore, we expect Mr. Özgür Özel to reconsider the language he used, to abandon threatening rhetoric, and to publicly apologize to the targeted media representatives.”