The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has begun an international campaign to demand freedom for detained journalists, called Set Journalists Free in Turkey.
EFJ unions across Europe have already been paired up with individual detained journalists in Turkey and are doing what they can to support them and campaign for their release.
The EFJ website says: “Over 700 individuals and organisations around the world have joined the “Set Turkish Journalists Free” campaign thanks to your support. Thousands of human rights activists have sent a petition letter to the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling for the release of the jailed journalists in Turkey. As of today, 76 professional journalists still remain in Turkish prisons with many waiting desperately a fair trial. Please keep supporting our campaign and share your solidarity with our jailed colleagues in Turkey.”
The campaign page is regularly updated with news on arrests, trials and releases of media workers, and is full of information on the current threat to freedom of expression in Turkey. Also included is a list of detained journalists, upcoming trial dates and information on how you can help.
NUJ representative to the EFJ, Barry White, spoke at a recent Peace in Kurdistan event in which he gave an account of deteriorating press freedom in Turkey and the EFJ’s new campaign. You can read the meeting report to find out more.