Radikal website, Istanbul,
March 8 2007
Turkish Army tightens journalists’ "accreditation" to block left,
pro-Kurds
[Corrected version: Refiling to remove comments from the "comments"
field; Report: "Media Notes of the Military"]
The word "accreditation" comes from the Latin "acreditus," which
means "certifying credentials" or "granting a status of
trustworthiness." It means "to empower, authorize, or approve
officially." The word "credentials," which is derived from the same
root, carries the meanings of "identity card, certificate of
trustworthiness, reference, license." The phrase "press credentials"
is often used in the sense of "identity card for journalists."
These explanations come not from a dictionary but from a document
entitled "Memorandum" [Andic] that was presented to the Office of the
Deputy Chief of the General Staff in November 2006. The document
specifies which journalists should be authorized to have access to
news related to the Turkish Armed Forces [TSK] and offers detailed
assessments about various media organizations. The document, which
says it was written with the purpose of "re-evaluating accredited
press and broadcast organs," rates media organizations and
journalists as "pro-TSK" and "anti-TSK."
Ahmet Sik of the monthly Nokta has obtained a copy of the TSK’s
latest "trustworthiness" (accreditation) assessment of media
organizations. These assessments began with the 28 February process
and have been regularly performed in the past ten years. The nine
"service use only" documents comprised of a total of 52 pages contain
an evaluation table that rates previously accredited newspapers and
television stations by assigning "plus" and "minus" points to
TSK-related articles they published.
One of the documents contains extensive information about the daily
Star (which was originally owned by the Uzan Group but which was
later restructured after it was sold by the Savings Deposit Insurance
Fund) and the extreme nationalist daily Yenicag. One of the
evaluation notes is devoted to a Radikal columnist. The "service use
only" documents do not provide any evaluations of dailies like Yeni
Safak, Vakit, Zaman, Evrensel, Birgun, and Ozgur Gundem; and the
television station Kanal 7 because they were never accredited. The
documents contain specific comments about various media groups,
newspapers, and television stations. The notes also offer
recommendations with regard to the re-evaluation of the General
Staff’s accreditation system and openly state that certain named
journalists from various media should "not be accredited." The
documents recommend that TSK accreditation be withdrawn from a total
of ten journalists: four writers from Radikal, one from Takvim, one
commentator from the television station Sky Turk, two reporters from
the television station Haberturk, and one reporter from the
television station Kanalturk. In addition, they recommend that the
accreditation of the dailies Halka ve Olaylara Tercuman and Star be
suspended because they are being restructured and that a decision be
made on whether "to continue or to withdraw" the accreditation of the
television stations TGRT and Kanalturk "after they are monitored for
some time."
Newspapers
Appendix A, entitled "Evaluation of News Reports and Commentaries
Published in Newspapers" between January and October 2006, assigns
"plus" and "minus" points to newspapers based on whether their
articles related to the TSK were "positive" or "negative." According
to the TSK’s evaluation, Posta received 65 pluses and 22 minuses,
Hurriyet 195 pluses and 46 minuses, Milliyet 150 pluses and 40
minuses, Radikal 66 pluses and 84 minuses, Yenicag 206 pluses and 27
minuses, and Cumhuriyet 156 pluses and 21 minuses for the TSK-related
articles they published between January and October 2006. Star
received 71 plus and minus points. A "service use only" information
note depicts the "positive and negative article statistics" of
newspapers in the form charts plotted for each month.
Aim Is to Protect TSK
The documents also suggest that the military has substantially
expanded its tight monitoring of the media since the 28 February 1997
meeting of the National Security Council. The document entitled
"Memorandum" notes that the purpose of the accreditation system is to
protect the TKS "from the supporters of separatist and destructive
elements." The document says:
"The Office of the Chief of the General Staff began to subject press
and broadcast organs to ‘trustworthiness’ controls in 1997. That
practice has restricted the access of press and broadcast organs with
low levels of trustworthiness to activities conducted within the TSK
within the unchangeable principles of the Constitution – principles
that cannot even be proposed for amendment – the Internal Service Law
and Regulations and the indispensable principles of the TSK; and has
ensured that only members of organizations that pass the
trustworthiness controls participate in the said activities. The
purpose of this practice is to protect the press activities of the
TSK from the provocations of members of press and media organizations
that support separatist and destructive movements and from their
deliberate disinformation campaigns; and to prevent such individuals
from entering military zones, units, and facilities to obtain
intelligence in order to pass them to separatist and destructive
elements and thus to cause harm to military units, facilities,
materiel, and personnel. Also, by not accrediting press and broadcast
organs that support separatist and destructive elements, that wage
propaganda in their behalf, and that are not found to be trustworthy
in accordance with the principles and values mentioned above, this
practice has ensured that such entities are not held in high esteem
by the public."
Long-term Monitoring of Media
The document entitled "Investigation and Evaluation of Press and
Broadcast Organizations for Accreditation Purposes" rates newspapers,
magazines, and television stations individually in terms of their
"trustworthiness." Below is a summary of the TSK’s evaluation of
press organizations as presented by this document which carries the
signature of Communications Department Chief Staff Col Mustafa Oguz:
Posta: After noting that Posta is Turkey’s largest circulation daily,
the document says that one named Posta columnist "expresses
displeasure at the interference of the military in politics and
military operations" and that three named writers "are observed to
articulate positions favourable to the TSK." The document says about
one writer at the paper: "Although he expresses criticisms
unfavourable to the TSK occasionally, he writes positive articles
about martyrs in his column." The general evaluation of the daily
states: "Because the daily is the most widely read newspaper and has
endorsed a liberal-pluralist ideology that distances itself from
marginal inclinations, it is considered to be an important vehicle in
conveying the TSK’s messages to the public. Consequently, it would be
appropriate to extend its accreditation."
Hurriyet: This paper is described as: "[ Hurriyet ] is one of the
best known and best established newspapers of mainstream media. It
has a liberal-pluralist publishing policy. It is the flagship of the
Turkish press." The document notes the name of the reporter who wrote
two TSK-related news articles published on 10 March 2004, one on
"allegations that Sabiha Gokcen is of Armenian origin," and the other
on "a memorandum by the 2nd Armoured Brigade Command to district
heads requesting the names of individuals who are members of ethnic,
religious, marginal, and other organizations, an action that became
known in public as ‘snooping on high society.’" It adds that the
paper’s 10 October 2004 report "that portrayed the PKK on Mount
Kandil in a favourable light" generated public indignation. The
evaluations of Hurriyet columnists state that two writers "are
opposed to military operations," but that five named writers
"generally express positions favourable to the TSK." The evaluation
of one columnist in the paper says: "Although he articulated negative
criticisms during the tenure of former Chief of the General Staff Gen
(Ret) Hilmi Ozkok, he is a writer who is generally known to be
pro-TSK."
Milliyet: The notes on Milliyet say: "Although this paper has
endorsed a liberal-pluralist publishing policy, it is known to be
left-leaning. It has an unambiguous stance on Ataturkism and
publishes objective reports and commentaries." The document says that
Milliyet does not publish any sensational news about the TSK and that
this is a positive attribute. The document notes that one of Milliyet
writers criticized the TSK over the Semdinli incidents and names four
columnists who are "opposed to military operations and the army’s
interference in politics." The document says about one writer: "He is
known to criticize the TSK within the framework of his conservative
views." The other columnists are said to be "objective" and to have a
"favourable stance with respect to the TSK."
Radikal: After noting that Radikal has maintained its accreditation
since 12 May 1999, the document says: "This is the centre-left
newspaper of the Dogan Group. Its readership is known to be mainly in
the AB group (university-educated and high-income). It has
experienced columnists with high intellectual preparation. Media
commentators have described it as the paper that levelled the most
criticism against the Israeli attack on Lebanon." One Radikal
columnist is described as "the doyen of TSK commentators." The
document says about another named columnist: "He is observed to make
objective comments on the TSK." Another interesting point in
Radikal’s evaluation says:
"Radikal is a paper that the TSK must monitor carefully.
Occasionally, it has major outbursts related to the TSK. There was
strong indignation when the paper referred to our martyred soldiers
as ‘dead’ in March through July 2005. The paper corrected this stance
after the issue was raised at the TSK media briefing on 21 July
2005."
The document contains a separate information note about one Radikal
writer, who is described in the general evaluation as "a successful
and ambitious journalist." [The document adds:] "For this reason, he
needs to be paid special attention in our relations." The document
describes four Radikal columnists as "anti-TSK" and says: "In view of
this situation, it would make more sense to have an accreditation
system for individuals in addition to the system of institutional
accreditation." The concluding remarks of Radikal’s evaluation say:
"Although the majority of the paper’s columnists write articles
sympathetic to the left, its administrative staff pays attention to
the TSK’s criticisms. Because its target readership is the AB group,
the paper has a special place in the Turkish press. It would be
appropriate to extend the paper’s accreditation status because of the
presence of certain writers specialized on TSK-related topics on the
staff of the newspaper. However, it would also be appropriate to
suspend for some time the personal accreditation of columnists who
persist in their openly unfavourable criticisms of the TSK."
Referans: The document finds this paper to be objective about the TSK
because of its mostly economic focus. It recommends extending the
paper’s accreditation especially because the paper has not objected
to publishing texts that refute misleading or wrong news articles.
Gozcu: The document says that this paper has virtually never
published any anti-TSK articles and that any criticisms it has
articulated are motivated by the paper’s desire to see a more
dominant TSK role in the country’s political and social domains. It
recommends an extension of the paper’s accreditation.
Sabah: The document says that Sabah "maintains a
centrist-liberal-pluralist publishing policy." Four Sabah columnists
are described as "anti-TSK" and four other writers are said "to
articulate positions favourable to the TSK." The general evaluation
of Sabah says: "Although the paper publishes sensational news
occasionally, it is influential in steering public opinion and it is
the most important paper of Turkey’s second largest media group. In
view of that, it would be beneficial for the TSK to extend the
paper’s accreditation, even as personal accreditation criteria are
applied to reporters who write such articles and the paper’s
administrative staff is cautioned by letters of complaint and
information whenever baseless reports are published."
Takvim: The document says about Takvim: "This paper is similar to
Posta of the Dogan Group by virtue of its emphasis on celebrity news
and its neutral stance on political matters." The document cites the
inclusion of an "anti-TSK" columnist on the paper’s staff in June
2006 as the most important change in Takvim. The evaluation says that
this individual journalist must not be accredited.
Aksam: Four columnists of this paper are described as "generally
favourable to the TSK," but one writer is said to air "baseless
information and unfavourable criticisms." The document criticizes
another Aksam writer by saying: "His articles are noted for their
unfavourable view of the TSK’s interference in politics."
Halka ve Olaylara Tercuman: The document says that the paper has been
undergoing restructuring, that it has endorsed a more nationalistic
posture, and that new columnists continue to be hired. It recommends
that, in view of this situation, the paper’s accreditation be
extended even as it is monitored for some time longer and that the
personal accreditation of some writers be withdrawn if necessary.
Vatan: The document says that the paper’s general publishing policy
is known to be centrist-liberal-pluralist. It adds that the general
publishing policy of the paper may be considered favourable to the
TSK and recommends that the paper’s accreditation be extended.
Star: Following recounting of the change of ownership of the paper,
the document recalls a motion for inquiry submitted by [Motherland
Party] Deputy Emin Sirin in the National Assembly on 13 March 2006
"requesting an investigation of why Star was sold to persons known
for their close ties to Fethullah Gulen for a price far below its
appraised value." The evaluation says in brief: "The newspaper has
changed ownership, and its administrative and editorial staff have
changed frequently. There have been allegations that Ihsan Arslan, a
Justice and Development Party deputy from Diyarbakir, is a secret
partner in the newspaper. Columnists with leftist and liberal views
have been dismissed and replaced with conservative writers. Because
staff changes have been completed only recently, it would be
appropriate to examine the paper’s new publication policy, to
maintain the suspension of the paper’s accreditation for some time
longer, and to review its accreditation status after an opinion is
formed following tight monitoring."
Cumhuriyet: The document says about Cumhuriyet: "Although the paper
has a relatively low circulation, it has an educated readership with
a certain status. The paper has not made any concessions from its
Ataturkist publishing policy, has always provided coverage for
topical issues, and has generally maintained a stance that is
favourable to the TSK."
Turkiye: The document says that this paper pursues a sensitive
publication policy despite its conservative character in order to
maintain its accreditation and that, in view of that, it would be
useful to extend its accreditation.
Dunya: The general evaluation of this paper says: "Although the main
focus of this daily is the economy, the paper devotes space to
articles related to the TSK. This may have a positive impact in terms
of having the TSK’s voice heard in economic circles and its messages
conveyed clearly to that community."
Ortadogu: The document describes this paper as the press organ of the
Nationalist Action Party and its general publication policy as
nationalist-conservative. It adds that the paper publishes articles
favourable to the TSK in accordance with its publishing policy and
recommends that its accreditation be extended.
Yenicag: The document says that this paper has maintained a generally
favourable stance with respect to the TSK, even though it has
occasionally published severe criticisms because of its extreme
nationalistic policies.
The New Anatolian: The document says that the paper provides a forum
for writers with academic backgrounds and reporters who specialize in
foreign policy despite the presence of certain writers with
conservative views on its staff. It adds that some of the paper’s
administrators have risky financial ties in northern Iraq and that
the paper’s publication policy must be carefully monitored after it
is granted accreditation.
Press Agencies
Anatolia Agency: The document mentions allegations that the Anatolia
Agency, Turkey’s oldest and official news agency, has been ignoring
news items that are unfavourable to the government. It says that the
agency’s failure to air Prime Minister Erdogan’s argument with a
farmer in Mersin in February 2006 generated much criticism. It adds
that the agency reports TSK-related news objectively and that it
reports all TSK activities in great detail.
ANKA: The document recalls that the accreditation of two of this
agency’s reporters was suspended but that the director general of the
agency was invited to the Victory Day reception on 30 August 2006.
The evaluation of ANKA says: "The agency has been observed to use, on
occasion, the terms ‘militant’ and ‘guerrilla’ instead of ‘terrorist’
when referring to members of the terrorist organization."
Television Stations
The information note on television stations evaluates them favourably
in general. It says: "The accreditation of CNN Turk, which is one of
the most widely watched news channels in Turkey, must be extended
despite current problems in its administration."
The information note says that Show TV and atv do not have any
ideological preferences and adds that the evaluation of the
accreditation application filed on behalf of Kanal 1 is continuing.
The note says that it would not be appropriate to accredit one
commentator at Sky Turk because of his "radical remarks." The note
describes NTV as an "objective" channel and says about CNBC-e: "It is
known have a better educated and higher income viewership. It would
be appropriate to extend the accreditation of this channel in order
to ensure that this audience receives the messages [the TSK] wants to
send." In comments on TGRT, which has been sold to Robert Murdoch,
the information note says: "It would be useful to evaluate the
accreditation of this channel after its new broadcast policy is
closely monitored." The note also recommends that the accreditation
of two reporters at Haberturk be suspended.
The TSK also finds that Kanalturk is problematic. The information
note recommends that Kanalturk’s accreditation be reviewed and that
the accreditation of one of its reporters be withdrawn.
The TSK’s information note also contains interesting comments with
regard to the TRT [Turkish Radio and Television Administration],
which is official television channel of the state, and BRTK [Bayrak
Radio and Television Administration], the official television channel
of the KKTC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]. The note says:
"The TRT has recently been observed to air programmes that fall
outside its traditional objective broadcast policy. Various press
organizations have alleged and we have occasionally observed that it
has devoted air time to religious and Islamist shows and that it has
been engaged in a campaign to build a conservative staff."
We Do not Disclose Names Because…
The documents openly identify journalists described as "pro-TSK" and
"anti-TSK," but we chose to keep these names undisclosed in this
report because we believe that there may indescribable and
irreversible consequences if the journalists described as "pro-TSK"
and "anti-TSK" become the targets of certain "sensitive citizens" who
may "derive a duty from the situation."