U.S. State Department slams Turkey media crackdown

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Department of State discussed the recent arrest of journalists in Turkey, who had reported on the weapons supply to the Islamic State group from Ankara.

In a statement released on its website, the State Department said the United States is troubled by the pre-trial arrest of senior editors of the respected Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet.

“The investigation, criminal charges, and arrest raise serious concerns about the Turkish government’s commitment to the fundamental principle of media freedom. These events are only the latest in a series of judicial and law enforcement actions taken under questionable circumstances against Turkish media outlets critical of the government,” the statement said.

The State Department calls on Turkish authorities to ensure that all individuals and organizations – including but not limited to the media – are free to voice a full range of opinions and criticism, in accordance with Turkey’s constitutional guarantees of media freedom and freedom of expression. This will ultimately strengthen Turkey’s democracy, it said.