Arinc: ”Press freedom is a constitutional right”

Press freedom is a fundamental, necessary human right protected by the Constitution, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said in Manisa yesterday. Speaking at the 18th Local Media Training Seminar, held by Directorate General of Press and Information (DGPI) in cooperation with the Manisa Governor's Office and Journalists Manisa Association, Arinc stressed the importance of a free press, calling it a constitutional institution. "The press is free, and cannot be censored. This is guaranteed by the Constitution," he said.

Touching on advances Turkey has seen in the area of communications technology, Arinc also said state-run TRT's new tourism and documentary channel would go on air this weekend, with TRT 5 Anatolia close on its heels, to improve cooperation between the TRT and local TV stations.

Also addressing the meeting, DGPI head Salih Melek spoke about the directorate's work to make press cards more useful for members of the media. He said that the directorate is continuing talks with a number of public and private institutions and companies, including Turkish Airlines (THY) and the Security General Directorate, to provide card holders with such benefits as ticket discounts and police traffic assistance. Melek echoed Arinc's remarks on press freedom, adding that it is in no longer threatened in Turkey, dismissing claims to the contrary.

He also pledged that the DGPI would continue to support the local media.