(AFP) – Several Turkish media outlets, mostly pro-opposition, expressed anger Thursday after their requests to cover a key NATO summit were denied, with the alliance saying its accreditation process relied on recommendations from summit host Ankara. Among those whose requests were rejected were the Cumhuriyet newspaper, Halk TV, independent online news site T24, and several others—all of whom are known to be critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government. The rejection notice did not give any reason for the decision, merely noting it was “final”. The top-level summit takes place in the capital Ankara on July 7-8.
The move comes as the space for Turkish media outlets, notably those critical of Erdogan, has shrunk, with a growing number of constraints on press freedom involving arbitrary fines, suspensions, and legal cases against journalists on vague charges. In response, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance was following its long-standing accreditation procedures for major events, which included liaising with the host government. “For summits and ministerial meetings held outside NATO headquarters, NATO relies on the host nation to provide assessments on journalists from their country to ensure access to the meeting site,” she wrote on X. NATO was “in contact with the Turkish authorities” over the accreditation issue, she said, adding: “It is very important for NATO that media can attend major events in person.”
Her post drew reactions from many Turkish journalists, asking: “So why are Turkish journalists being denied? Please answer this question.” Rights groups also weighed in, describing the denial of access as “alarming” for media freedom in Turkey. “NATO’s embargo on independent media is unacceptable. With this decision, NATO has also violated the principles of ‘democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law’ that it emphasizes in its founding agreement,” the Turkish Journalists’ Association said.
Veysel Ok, lawyer and co-director for the MLSA rights group, said independent media in Turkey had already been under pressure for years, facing issues from arrests to accreditation restrictions. “Independent journalists are trying both to do their jobs and to overcome these pressures,” he told AFP. “Unfortunately, NATO— which claims to be an organization of democratic countries—has effectively legitimized the pressure on journalists in Turkey and has viewed these pressures largely from the government’s perspective.”
Several journalists posted NATO’s rejection notice on social media, which read: “I regret to say that your request for media accreditation cannot be granted this time. I cannot discuss the reasons for this decision, which is final.” Turkey’s Diplomatic Correspondents Association (DMD) said it amounted to “discriminatory practices against the media.” “As the host country… it is the duty of all institutions and organizations involved in organizing the summit to ensure broader participation by the Turkish media,” it wrote in a statement, saying the denials “hinder journalists from doing their jobs and undermine the public’s right to be informed.”
Erol Onderoglu of Reporters Without Borders also criticized the decision. “We struggle to understand an accreditation policy that excludes a significant portion of Turkey’s media from covering the NATO summit,” he said. “We cannot accept a procedure that provides no reason for rejection and effectively denies any right of appeal,” he added, calling for a more transparent and inclusive process. Reporters Without Borders ranks Turkey 163rd out of 180 countries in its World Press Freedom Index.
– Fulya OZERKAN
© 2024 AFP
