EU urges Turkey to respect media freedom after newspaper seizure

The European Union (EU) has called on Turkey to respect media freedom after Turkish police took control of the opposition newspaper Zaman.

“The EU has repeatedly stressed that Turkey, as (an EU) candidate country, needs to respect and promote high democratic standards and practices, including freedom of the media,” the EU's diplomatic service said in a statement on Saturday.

On Friday afternoon, police forces clashed with demonstrators in a bid to smash their way into the office building and enforce a ruling handed down earlier in the day by the Istanbul Sixth Criminal Court of Peace ordering the management of the newspaper and its editorial board to be replaced by the board of trustees assigned by the court.

The court decision came at the request of the Istanbul prosecutor and sparked angry protests in front of the newspaper's office.

“Free, diverse and independent media constitute one of the cornerstones of a democratic society by facilitating the free flow of information and ideas, and by ensuring transparency and accountability,” the EU statement said.

“Any country, and in particular those negotiating EU accession, needs to guarantee fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, and due judicial process, in line with the European Convention on Human Rights,” it added.

Turkey has been seeking to gain accession to the 28-member European bloc since 2005. 

Zaman, Turkey’s top-selling newspaper, is known for its staunch opposition to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The daily is also said to have close connection with US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, an outspoken opponent of Erdogan and his policies.

Erdogan has accused Gulen and his followers of plotting to overthrow the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), a charge that Gulen denies.

The paper published a defiant edition on Saturday, warning of the “darkest days” in the history of the press.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned the government takeover of Zaman, calling it the latest attempt by the Turkish president to “silence critical media.”

Amnesty International also denounced the move, saying, “By lashing out and seeking to rein in critical voices, President Erdogan’s government is steamrolling over human rights.”

Nearly 2,000 journalists, bloggers and ordinary citizens, including teenagers, have been accused of insulting Erdogan. He has faced growing popular dissatisfaction over what critics say is his autocratic behavior and regarding criticism as insult.

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