Öykü Altuntaş / Istanbul, March 4 () - The Turkish Journalists' Association (TGC) slammed the decision of the prosecution to appoint a trustee panel to Zaman Group. "Appointing trustee panel has become a new tool to silence the media" TGC board statement said.
"The mentality which has been silencing the media through detainments, arrestments, internet bans and heavy fines, now unburden newspapers and TV channels and destroy them via trustee panels" the statement urged.
The number of unemployed journalists increase and channels to get informed narrow, it added, reiterating the authorities that these interventions cause unemployment crisis for a vast number of press members.
"We hope Zaman newspaper will not be closed as İpek Media Group's doors were locked shortly after a trustee panel was appointed.
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has appointed a trustee panel to Zaman, a “Gülen-linked” media group on March 4, according to initial reports.
People have gathered in front of the Zaman headquarter in Istanbul's Bahçelievler district, while the iron gate at the entrance of the HQ was locked with chains.
