Turkish Insights Policy Dialogue with :
Yavuz Baydar
Journalist and Columnist, Özgür Düşünce
Cengiz Çandar
Journalist and Columnist, Radikal and Hürriyet
Renate Schroeder
Director, European Federation of Journalists
Torbjørn Frøysnes
Ambassador, Head of the Council of Europe Brussels Office (to be confirmed)
Amanda Paul
Senior Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre (Moderator)
Thursday 3 December 2015, 14.30-16.30 (registration & coffee from 14.10)
EPC Auditorium, Rue du Trône 14-16, 1000 Brussels
Freedom of media in Turkey has continued to deteriorate throughout 2015, exacerbating the country’s already negative record. In its 2015 report, international watchdog, Freedom House reported that media freedom has been in decline for the last five years, labelling Turkey as a country with no free press. The European Commission’s recent Progress Report on Turkey also highlighted growing concerns over the situation, given Turkey is an accession country. The government has passed a number of new laws that have expanded the state’s power to block websites and the surveillance capability of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT). Self-censorship has become rife with numerous journalists arrested and charged for insulting the President or other members of the ruling elites. Others have faced unprecedented legal obstacles as regards reporting on corruption and national security issues. The authorities have also begun to takeover critical newspapers and television stations. Last month, Koza Ipek Holding, which owned two newspapers and two TV stations, was confiscated by government-appointed “trustees”.
Our panel of experts will analyse the situation on the ground in Turkey, the reaction of the EU and the international community more broadly, as well as evaluating alternative policies that could help improve media freedom in the country.
European Policy Centre
Tel : 02 231 03 40
www.epc.eu
