There are serious questions about whether journalists opposed to expanded presidential powers for Recep Tayyip Erdogan will have their voices squelched. The opposition says the space for debate is already being squeezed. Reports Deutsche Welle.
The firing of a prominent news anchor for his objection to constitutional changes that would expand presidential powers is the latest development to highlight Turkey’s tightening choke hold on critical voices ahead of a referendum that the opposition considers unfair.
On April 16, Turkey will vote in one of the most critical polls in its modern history, deciding whether to change the country to an executive system, which would grant President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the sweeping powers that he has long sought.
If approved in the referendum, the constitutional changes greenlighted by parliament last month would, among other things, give Erdogan the power to dismiss ministers and dissolve parliament, issue decrees, declare emergency rule, and appoint figures to key positions, including within the judiciary.
Kanal D sacked anchor Irfan Degirmenci on Saturday, a day after he came out against the proposed constitutional amendments in a series of 20 tweets to his 1.7 million followers. The national television channel claimed that Degirmenci was let go because he violated policy by “clearly taking a side on an issue the public is debating.”
“No to the one who views scientists, artists, writers, cartoonists, students, workers, farmers, miners, journalists and all who do not obey as the enemy,” Degirmenci wrote on Friday, releasing a series of critical tweets to back up his “No” vote.
