OSCE media representative concerned about unprecedented persecution of journalists in Turkey

VIENNA, 3 March 2011 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, today called on Turkish authorities to immediately stop intimidating media following police action against several journalists.

Turkish police took at least six journalists into custody early this morning. Police also raided the journalists' homes and offices and confiscated equipment.

“This unprecedented conduct by the authorities violates basic OSCE media freedom commitments. It targets and suppresses differing and critical voices,” Mijatović said.

“Actions like this have a strong chilling effect on media freedom. It clearly illustrates the need for Turkey to reform its media laws, as noted repeatedly by my office," she said.

"I call on the Turkish authorities to stop intimidating and threatening journalists. The detained journalists should be immediately released without any conditions."