The screen is in black and white, because the television message is clear, and the antenna, on Tuesday night at 23.59 hours, is completely mourning. Before the cameras, in the study of Turkish television SÖZCÜ TVthe largest opposition television in the country, a Thirty journalists They are crowded around a small round table, from where the news of this chain occurs every day.
But this Tuesday night, and until July 18, the news will stop and on the screen will only appear a message announcing that by order of the Turkish Radio Corporation the Sözcü TV antenna has been blocked for 10 days For a program issued last March 23four days after the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, the opponent Ecrem of immamogl.
The presenters – and all the writing – say goodbye. “The countdown has already started, and I want to express my esperanza. We leave you with all the love we have received for being at the foot of the news. And I want to remind you: those who fail the subject of patriotism should treat the best in the class better. We have always been proud of our team, “says the main host of the chain, Can Coskunwhile the second accountant advances in the countdown.
“We melt black for 10 days. But these 10 days are not to shut up, but will teach us to speak stronger. Because the truth cannot be silenced: on the way back, we will be stronger, more determined,” says the general director of television, television, Ozgur Cakmakci. The writing joins an applause. After that, a molten to black who, if he repeated – as the Turkish government has threatened – would mean the closure of the chain.
In the last two weeks, Türkiye has lived a retaken Wave of repression against the oppositionwho already saw in spring how Justice arrested and imprisoned his presidential candidate and mayor of Istanbul, Imamoglu. With him began a fence that still lasts against the main opposition party, the People’s Republican Party (CHP).
Demonstration in Istanbul, last week, against the arrest of the mayor and main opponent to Erdogan, Ekrem Imamoglu. / Erdem Sahin / Efe
An infinite list
The list is long: this July, the Turkish police have arrested dozens of workers from the City Council of Smirnathe third largest city in the country, and has imprisoned the mayors of Antalyathe fifth city, Adanathe seventh, and Adiyamana minor city in the east of the country. All of them were members of the CHP. Police also arrested the journalist at the end of the month Fatih Altaylione of the most famous reporters in the country.
There are more. This Wednesday justice has announced the arrest of 10 people from the Istanbul City Council, and this Tuesday, the State Attorney General began the procedures to take the inviolability to the opposition leader and general secretary of the CHP, Ozgur Ozel. The day before the same Prosecutor’s Office opened several investigations against Özel for allegedly having “insulted the president” and “incite crime.”
One last point: Türkiye has ordered on Wednesday the blockade of the artificial intelligence of the social network X, Grokfor allegedly insulted Erdogan.
“Türkiye has been transitioning since March – from the arrest of Imamoglu – of a Authoritarian-Competitive Regimein which there were free but unfair elections, one completely authoritarian. Erdogan feels that, despite having absolute control of the media and a playing field inclined in his favor, to defeat Imamoglu he must eliminate him. And I think he will not stop with his elimination. He has launched a judicial campaign to prevent CHP can change power with elections, “he explains Berk Esenpolitical scientist and professor of the Sabanci UniversityIn Istanbul.
“I don’t know if your plan will work, because Türkiye is not Russiaand has a vibrant civil society. Popular discontent will continue, but even if you get a short term success, I don’t understand what your future plan. Because the economy is fragile; There is a lot instability policy. With everything that is happening these weeks, the regime is losing Popular legitimacyand without a clear successor for Erdogan, I don’t know how long this situation can be maintained, “says the expert.
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