Turkish authorities have seized control of the Cihan news agency, according to a statement from Cihan, widening the crackdown against supporters of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen.
US considers “yet another example of unnecessary pressure on journalism in Turkey”, gaining by the Ankara authorities of Cinan news agency control.
This was announced at the regular briefing by the chief of the press service of the US State Department, John Kirby.
According to him, the US administration is worried by the practice of appointment by the Turkish authorities of external managers in the national media with the aim of “interference in the editorial activity” of those “who are critical to the government”. “We are calling the Turkish Government to show full respect to the administration of justice and to ensure equal treatment (to all media) within the framework of the law”, – said the representative of the United States Foreign Service.