The European Union in Turkey encourages and supports Press Freedom through cooperation with civil society organizations
The European Union in Turkey encourages and supports Press Freedom through cooperation with civil society organizations.
The EU Delegation in Turkey is promoting freedom of the press by providing practical support to journalists through Press Houses.
Marking 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, the EU reaffirmed its determination to keep protecting and promoting freedom of opinion and expression as rights to be exercised by everyone, everywhere.
On World Press Freedom Day the EU highlights the importance of an enabling legal environment for the press and addresses the role of the media necessary for healthy democracy -- as a key actor fostering transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
Respect for freedom of expression is integrated in all EU policies and development programmes.
In this context, the EU has recently partnered with media professionals’ organizations to strengthen journalistic work and established Press Houses to provide journalists with the environment they require to practice their profession. They provide many opportunities to journalists and the media.
The EU-funded Press Houses provide space where journalists can feel empowered and continue their journalistic work contributing to the media’s pluralism.
Ambassador Christian Berger personally attended the opening ceremonies and underlined the EU’s message: “We need objective, ethical journalism everywhere in this challenging global environment marked by increasing polarisation and fabricated news.”
In line with the EU’s approach, Head of the EU Delegation Ambassador Christian Berger stated: “Freedom of the press and expression are essential pillars of any democratic society. They go hand in hand with other fundamental values such as respect for human rights and the rule of law. These freedoms also promote human and economic development, political participation, good governance, and accountability. They can help foster a business-friendly environment by building trust, encouraging the free flow of information. Media freedom is at the very heart of the EU's values, and is an important element of the accession process.”
Under the Press House programme, young and freelance journalists will be supported by micro grants, training opportunities, and platforms to publish their work. This year alone, 100 journalists will be given grants and opportunities completely funded by the EU in cooperation with Turkish Journalists' Association. This support will continue until 2022. It is expected that the project will contribute to an empowered pluralistic media and a free press in Turkey as a safeguard of democracy and increase solidarity for and protection of journalists by providing them a safe environment where they can continue their work and develop their capacities.
The EU supports efforts in Turkey to reverse the backsliding in the media environment as stated by the European Commission in its recent annual report and follows closely developments in this regard. Broadening the space for democratic debate in Turkey will also achieve more pluralism for journalists, academics, and civil society representatives.
Recently, the Turkish Journalists Union's Press Academy opened with the funding and support of the EU in collaboration with the Turkish Journalists' Union with the objective of broadening the space for journalists, creating a conductive environment for press freedom and the right to information in Turkey and to support unemployed journalists by building their capacities and raising awareness of their rights.
Under the same programme, the EU will be supporting journalists by providing legal aid, and trial monitoring. A new hotline will be established to provide direct assistance and remote on-the-spot support to journalists on their occupational rights.
Head of the EU Delegation Ambassador Christian Berger attended the opening meeting with prominent journalists and NGO leaders on the same day. During the event, he underlined the EU’s contribution to improving a conductive environment for press freedom and the right to information in Turkey, and ahead of the World Press Day hailed all journalists who dedicated their lives to the pursuit of truth.
The EU will continue its support in four priority areas that it sees as vital for every functioning democracy: a legal environment enabling the exercise of the rights of freedom of expression and the media, advancing media to an improved level of internal governance to ensure transparency; resilience to external pressures; having quality and trustworthy investigative journalism available to citizens; and lastly, increasing the capacity and representativeness of professional journalist associations.