Erdogan: "We do politics with the people, not through the media"

Addressing thousands in a ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) campaign rally in the central Anatolian province of Aksaray, Prime Minister Erdogan yesterday continued to slam the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and some media outlets for what he called smear tactics in the runup to polls late next month. Again charging that opposition parties are avoiding holding campaign rallies, Erdogan called on them to meet with the people instead of using the media to spread smears about his party and the government. "You handed over your own opposition duties to the media," he added. "You do politics through some media outlets, but we do politics together with and within the people. We communicate to the people directly in meeting places." Rebuffing Dogan Media Group charges that the government is misusing its power to try to suppress the media, Erdogan said that some are using their own media power to enrich themselves and pressure the government to this end. This week the Finance Ministry fined Dogan TL 826 million for tax evasion and accounting irregularities. The ministry later issued a statement defending the fine, calling it fair and non-arbitrary. "Freedom of the press cannot be used as a means to spread smears and slander," said Erdogan. "Those who claim to defend freedom of the press are only defending their bosses. You cannot advance business interests by using freedom of the press as a tool." Erdogan also said that in past years some press organizations tried to paint themselves as fighters for press freedom. "But they were looking after their own interests," he said.