VAN - Van Democracy Platform called for the release of 4 journalists, who were arrested after breaking the story about two citizens who were thrown from a military helicopter at the first hearing to be held tomorrow.

A statement was made by the Van Democracy Platform before the first trial tomorrow, about Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporters Adnan Bilen and Cemil Uğur, Jinnews reporter Şehriban Abi and journalist Nazan Sala, who were arrested  after breaking the story about two citizens who were thrown from a military helicopter.

JOURNALISTS ARE TARGETED

Representatives of many institutions, associations, and NGOs and families of journalists attended the press release held at the Van Bar Association building. Speaking at the press release, Van Bar Association Head Zülküf Uçar, stated that journalists reported that Osman Şiban and Servet Turgut were subjected to torture and lynched after they were detained by the soldiers in Çatak. Uçar said that the journalists made the news of the event in line with hospital records are being targeted because theythey were the ones to break the story.

Uçar reminded that journalists accused of "making news of social incidents against the state" were asked about their conversations with news sources and their articles during interrogation. Lawyer Uçar said: "Several different articles they wrote were considered "criminal element" and it was stated that they are not journalists because they did not have an official press card given by the government, which turned into an instrument of approval and punishment. However, the duty of journalists is not to report in favor of the state, but to truthfully inform the citizen on all matters."

JOURNALISM WILL BE ON TRIAL

Underlining that one of the most important principles of journalism is to inform the citizen impartially and objectively, Uçar emphasized that informing the public is another important element of journalism, even if the party involved is state officials. Uçar continued: "With the trial that will begin tomorrow after a long period of detention, journalism and the public's right to recieving news is on trial." Uçar pointed out that pressure on journalist is not new in Turkey and it continues increasing.

LAW HAS LOST ITS MEANING

Stating that the freedom of the press, which is included in the 28th article of the Constitution, has started to lose its meaning, Uçar said: "The pressure on the press in Turkey has increased. Since some of the media that cannot withstand this pressure have lost their credibility and impartiality, they are unfortunately referred to by the public as "pro-government media" today. Although it looks like the journalists were arrested, in fact, the freedom and right of the public to recieve news were arrested."

END THE PRESSURE

Uçar continued: "According to our Constitution, the press is free and cannot be censored. Uçar stated that "The point where the independence of the judiciary has reached in our country, the ongoing intervention against the judiciary, and the statements made by the politicians about the closure of the Constitutional Court put the future of the country in great danger. The pressure and arrests of all segments of society and journalists should be abandoned for a fully democratic state of law, in which full judicial independence is ensured as soon as possible."

JOURNALISM IS NOT A CRIME

Emphasizing that journalism is not a crime, Uçar said: "We call for the release of imprisoned journalists Adnan Bilen, Cemil Uğur, Şehriban Abi, and Nazan Sala at the first hearing to be held tomorrow. Journalism is not a crime! Press workers should be released immediately."