Turkish journalists and opposition lawmakers protested in Istanbul Saturday against the detention of reporters, as a crackdown on the media has accelerated after the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "Journalism is not a crime" and "We will not remain silent," chanted the crowd of some 50 people, who railed against the conditions the journalists are held in.
"Many jailed journalists are not allowed to receive letters under the state of emergency conditions," said Baris Yarkadas, an opposition lawmaker with the Republican People's Party.
Yarkadas added he hoped the government would lift the ban. In a gesture of protest, the demonstrators mailed cards to their detained colleagues.
The Turkish government imposed a state of emergency in the wake of the failed July 15 coup attempt aiming to oust Erdogan, which critics say has been used for a massive clampdown on Erdogan's opponents and not merely suspected coup plotters.
According to journalists' associations, about 170 media outlets have been closed and nearly 800 press cards cancelled.
Turkey has also detained or expelled foreign correspondents for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Die Welt, and the French website Les Jours.
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