Enemy of the state: inside Turkey’s crackdown on independent journalism

In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth Lana interviews Evin Barış Altıntaş, a journalist and the founder of the Media and Law Studies Association. MLSA provides legal support to journalists, promotes press freedom and the rights of minority groups.  The past few years have been disastrous for Turkish independent journalists. In 2016, using the failed coup attempt as a pretext, Tayyop’s Erdogan’s government imprisoned thousands of journalists, activists and academics. According to Barış, Turkish president has always viewed independent media as an enemy. Those who scrutinized his policies and his personal wealth paid a heavy price. According to Amnesty International, more than 120 journalists are currently imprisoned, and more than 2500 media outlets were closed in the recent surge of repressions.Barış recounts how Kurdish reporters, being members of a marginalized minority, face even tougher crackdown from the Turkish government. Another aspect of this crisis is the soaring unemployment amongst journalists, with many having fled the country fearing prosecution. Tune into the new episode of Trouble with the Truth to hear Barış’s detailed and eloquent account.