Several Turkish journalists, media outlets and unions expressed anger on Thursday after being denied accreditation to cover the NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara next month.
The outlets that were targeted include cumhuriyet Newspaper, Halk TV, Sozku TV, website T24 and others.
These outlets criticize Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his conservative ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). They may also be associated with the left-leaning, secular views expressed by the opposition Republican People’s Party and its founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
The summit is scheduled for July 7 and 8. In a post on X, NATO spokeswoman Alison Hart said the bloc is “in contact with Turkish authorities” regarding recognition.
“It is very important for NATO that the media can attend major events in person,” Hart said.
Press freedom groups condemn ‘dangerous’ move by Turkish authorities
Hart’s post drew reactions from shocked Turkish journalists who were confused as to why they were being denied recognition. Press freedom organizations described the dismissal of the journalists as “alarming”.
The Turkish Journalists Association said, “The rejection of accreditation applications from a large number of media outlets is worrying in terms of press freedom.”
It said, “With this decision, NATO has violated the principles of ‘democracy, individual freedom and the rule of law’ emphasized in its founding treaty.”
The Turkish government has not yet commented on its refusal to accredit the media outlets.
Türkiye is ranked 163rd out of 180 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index.The crackdown on the press particularly intensified following the 2016 Turkish coup attempt and the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations.
Türkiye has been a member of NATO since 1952. The summit in July will be attended by representatives from all 32 NATO member states, with US President Donald Trump expected to attend.
Edited by: Jennifer Cimino Gonzalez
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