JOURNALISTS’ DAY MESSAGE FROM EGEMEN BAGIS

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis delivered a written message on the occasion of 10th January, Working Journalists’ Day.

In his message Minister Bagis said:

“One of the most important conditions of a developed democracy is prevalence of an understanding of a free and independent journalism. The presence of a free press is also indispensable in terms of the informative role of the media on public opinion.

We have an understanding that the freedom of press is one of the most fundamental elements of the democratic system.

As the government, we are removing the barriers to the freedom of press and taking historically unprecedented steps to provide our journalists with more appropriate working conditions in the history of the Republic of Turkey.

Thanks to the steps taken, taboos have now been destroyed in Turkey, every topic can now be freely discussed and there is no issue that is indisputable or accepted as taboo.

Turkey, which demonstrated a great determination to attain the EU standards and took major steps in this direction, is also determined to reach the EU standards in the area of freedom of press and has the power to do so.

One of the basic elements of the goal of going beyond the level of the contemporary civilizations is freedom of expression.

Turkey is now a much freer and a much more democratic country than 10 years ago and the free press is without doubt the entity which benefits this most.

As the government, we will continue to act with sensitivity as we did in the past in order for the press to perform its functions in the best manner and we will take the necessary steps without any hesitation.

As I conclude my words, I congratulate 10th January, Working Journalists’ Day and remember with grace and gratitude all our press martyrs.”