Social media and freedom of the press in Turkey at the Council of Europe
New Party Deputy Gökçe Gökçen spoke at the PACE Plenary Session about the financial challenges facing the press and restrictions imposed on social media accounts in Turkey.
New Party Izmir Deputy Gökçe Gökçen conveyed the freedom of the press, working conditions of journalists, and social media access bans in Turkey to participants at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Plenary Session.
Freedom of the Press and Working Conditions
New Party Izmir Deputy Gökçe Gökçen delivered a comprehensive speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Plenary Session on freedom of the press, working conditions of journalists, and access bans imposed on social media accounts in Turkey.
The Importance of Financial Independence
Gökçen argued that freedom of the press is not limited solely to the right to report news, but that the financial structures of media organizations and the working conditions of journalists are also a fundamental part of this freedom.
Precarious Employment and Digital Media
Stating that true freedom of the press cannot be spoken of if media organizations are financially dependent on the government or corporations, Gökçen expressed that precarious employment and low wages undermine independence.
Social Media Restrictions
Drawing attention to access bans on the X platform, Gökçen claimed that a large number of accounts are blocked daily in Turkey upon government request, and that journalists and activists in particular face censorship.
Auditing Global Corporations
Stating that social media corporations must be audited more effectively in order to protect press freedom, Gökçen emphasized that addressing the problem on a global scale by transcending national borders is essential.