Protest in Çorum against the trustee decision for Halk TV: 'We stand with the free press!'

While the reactions to the appointment of a trustee to Halk TV continued, a protest action was organized by the NEW Party Provincial Directorate in Çorum.

Participants gathered at Özdoğanlar Junction and walked to Kadeş Peace Square. After the march, NEW Party Çorum Provincial Chairman Dinçer Solmaz made a press statement on behalf of the protesters.

"THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO BE INFORMED IS BEING TARGETED"

Stating that Türkiye wakes up to a new darkness every morning, Solmaz argued that judicial operations, pressure on journalists and trustee practices continue.

Criticizing the appointment of a trustee to Halk TV, Solmaz said:

"As the last link of these unlawful acts, a trustee was appointed to Halk TV, which is Türkiye's most watched news channel in many broadcast segments, with a police raid. This decision targets not only Halk TV, but also the free press and the people's right to receive news. Silencing the voice of the opposition during the elections is a violation of the nation's right to choose freely."

"THE PURPOSE OF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO SILENCE THE FREE PRESS"

Claiming that the trustee decision was taken for political purposes, Solmaz stated that the government was trying to silence the voice of the opposition.

Solmaz said, "Today, a small minority trying to protect their own interests with the means of the state is trying to suppress the free press, silence tens of millions of people who want change and drive the nation into despair. The timing of the trustee decision targeting Halk TV is not a coincidence."

DRAW ATTENTION TO İMAMOĞLU CASE AND FUNDING CRISIS

Solmaz reacted to the timing of the decision, stating that the trustee decision was taken on the day the defense of detained Ekrem İmamoğlu started.

Solmaz said:

"This decision was taken on the day the defense of our Presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been waiting to make his defense for 590 days, began in the Silivri dungeon. This attack on the public's right to receive information while one of the biggest political cases of our history is ongoing, once again reveals the unlawfulness of the case and that it is a political operation."

Solmaz also touched upon the publicly discussed fund crisis and said that the trustee decision was taken at a time when allegations that he was linked to the ruling cadres were on the agenda.

"WE STAND BY THE FREE PRESS AND PRESS WORKERS"

Solmaz said that the government is trying to suppress the opposition and the press through the judiciary and law enforcement, and completed his statement with the following words: