Turkish minister prevents journalist from reporting on fire-hit area

Turkish Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum has prevented a journalist from shooting. "You can't shoot here even if you are a journalist," the minister said, revealing the hostility of the government towards journalists yet again.

Sunday August 08 2021 04:33 pm

Duvar English

Turkish Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum has prevented a journalist from reporting in the Marmaris district of the southern province of Muğla, once again revealing the extent of the government's hostility towards journalists.

Sarya Toprak from the daily BirGün, which is critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), was recording the conversation between the minister and locals, who were talking about the damage inflicted by days-long wildfires.

Upon noticing the journalist, Kurum tried to prevent her from recording.

"You can't shoot here even if you are a journalist," Kurum said, as police also told her to turn her camera off.

The journalist insisted on doing her job, prompting police to take her away from the area by force.

The government has prompted outrage nationwide due to its lack of response to forest fires that lasted for days due to Turkey not owning firefighting planes. Two ministers were subjected to protests in the places they visited, with one woman getting detained for calling on the government to resign.