The Turkish government has escalated its war on the free press to a new level by imposing a $500,000,000 fine on the Dogan Media Group, a Turkish publishing company. Dogan says it will fight the fine in court.
The Turkish Journalists’ Society has objected to the fine and called it a dangerous way to silence press outlets that criticize the government.
“Mr. Prime Minister’s anger caused by the news stories he disliked,” said a TGC statement, “has turned into a concrete attempt to silence (media) with the extremely high tax levy imposed on the Dogan Media Group.”
We know we have readers in Turkey, so rest assured that we’re watching our P’s and Q’s. A half a billion dollar fine could put quite a dent in our petty cash.
Source: Associated Press
