The World Association of Press Council (WAPC) is concerned with media violations taking place in several countries around the world. WAPC is particularly concerned with the continued arrest, harassment, killing, use of insult laws to arrest journalists and planned use of cyber-crime laws in certain countries. WAPC condemns the above acts and calls on governments throughout the world to protect freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
The death of Turkmeneli TV News Editor Ahmet Necmettin Haceroğlu by ISIL gunmen has caused great sadness among the members of WAPC.
The media freedom situation in Turkey is of major concern to WAPC. The continued attacks by the Turkish government on journalists, media workers, media houses, broadcasters and in general on freedom of communication should be condemned in the strongest terms. In recent weeks these attacks have escalated. The latest outrage is the arrest of board members (publishers) and journalists of independent newspaper, Cumhuriyet!
On July 15, 2016, Turkish citizens took to the streets to stop an attempted coup by elements within the Turkish military. Several citizens were killed in the process and the subsequent misuse of emergency powers to arrest and intimidate all critics of government, and in particular to silence independent media, should be condemned.
More than 130 Journalists have been arrested since then and many more are facing criminal prosecution while thousands have been forcibly laid off from their employment.
The rationale given by the government is that these persons and institutions are not targeted because they are practicing journalism, but because they are terrorists or somehow involved in the attempted coup.
WAPC has no sympathy for those who would attempt the overthrow of a democratically elected government, but there is no substantial evidence supporting government claims that this crackdown on freedom of expression has any connection with the attempted coup.
In fact it appears that this oppression is simply directed at those who are in any way critical of the government.
WAPC stands in solidarity with democratic forces worldwide in condemning these attacks on freedom of communication. WAPC demands the immediate release of all jailed journalists in Turkey, restoration of licenses for all broadcasting stations that have been taken off air while those that lost their jobs should be reinstated.
We also urge the Turkish government to respect its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to protect the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
WAPC is also concerned with latest developments in Zimbabwe where law enforcement agents have intensified assaults and attacks on the media. WAPC is also concerned by plans by the Zimbabwe Government to control the internet by proposing new laws that impose sweeping restrictions on the Internet and social media.
These planned laws are an attempt to increase state control of online content and to curb freedom of expression and freedom of social media, as well as seriously inhibit the right of citizens to freely receive and disseminate alternative information and express critical views.
The new restrictions will limit the exercise of human rights of all Zimbabwens and not just journalists.
Further, we note that that between June and August this year, a total of 15 journalists have been arrested, detained, or harassed for simply doing their jobs! It is clear that Zimbabwe remains unsafe for journalists, bloggers and citizens to freely express themselves.
The use of police power, insult laws, and coercive practices are being brought to bear against freedom of communication. We fear that proposed cybercrime and computer security legislation will further restrict the rights of the people. All in all this is indicative of a culture of impunity that impedes press freedom.
WAPC is disappointed with the new leadership in Tanzania that has deliberately shied away from conducting effective investigations into the murder of a reporter Daudi Mwangosiand threats on Absolom Kibandawho, the editor of New Habari.
Sadly, the Tanzanian government has banned, suspended and imposed severe penalties on a number of newspapers since January this year.
WAPC is also gravely concerned by plans by the Tanzanian Government to impose statutory regulation on the media.
In Nepal, the WAPC urges all those concerned to ensure that media freedom is not a privilege but right guaranteed by the government and enjoyed by all Nepalese.
We call upon Nepal government to end impunity and respect its constitution.
WAPC appeals to governments to respect and promote embrace media freedom rather than suffocating it.
Dr. Sule Aker, WAPC President
Email: sule.aker@emu.edu.tr
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