The European Turkish Journalists Association (ATGB) has strongly condemned the accreditation barriers against opposition media and the detentions of journalists in Ankara ahead of the NATO Leaders Summit. The ATGB emphasized that "journalism is not a crime" and drew attention to freedom of the press.

It was alleged that the accreditation applications of many opposition media outlets were rejected without justification prior to the NATO Leaders Summit, which will be held in Ankara on July 7-8.

It was claimed that numerous press organizations, including Cumhuriyet, ANKA News Agency, Sözcü, Halk TV, T24, Medyascope, and İlke TV, were not included in the NATO accreditation process.

The decision, reportedly sent by the accreditation unit affiliated with the NATO Strategic Communications Office, stated that the decisions were "final," and the lack of an appeals process or justification was noteworthy.

RSF Turkey Representative Criticizes Lack of Transparency

Erol Önderoğlu, in his assessment of the process, stated that the accreditation decisions lacked transparency, saying, "The failure to provide reasons for rejection and the disregard for the right to appeal are unacceptable."

Reaction to Journalists' Detentions

Allegations that T24 Foreign Policy Editor Buse Söğütlü and OdaTV Editor Ceren Erdoğdu were detained without reason prior to the summit also drew public outcry.

In a statement made by the Turkish Journalists' Association, it was emphasized that it is unacceptable to put journalists under pressure due to their reporting activities and to silence them with the threat of detention. The statement called on officials to act in accordance with the Constitution and professional principles.

Reaction to Deniz Göktaş's Arrest

Comedian and Uykusuz writer Deniz Göktaş, who was reportedly detained and subsequently arrested upon his return from abroad in recent days, was also a focus of the statement.

It was stated that Göktaş was arrested on charges of "insulting the president" and "demeaning religious values," and that he defended in his statement that the said remarks were within the scope of political criticism.

ATGB: "Journalism is Not a Crime"

In a statement made by the European Turkish Journalists Association, it was stated that practices targeting freedom of the press are incompatible with the principles of a democratic society, and the following assessment was included:

"It is not journalism, but targeting and threatening journalists that is a crime. Freedom of the press and freedom of expression are the foundation of a democratic society."

The ATGB called for the immediate release of detained and arrested journalists, as well as Deniz Göktaş.

Recai Aksu's Call

Speaking on behalf of the ATGB Board of Directors, Chairman Recai Aksu stated that interventions against freedom of the press are unacceptable and invited officials to act in accordance with the rule of law.