A letter from Antena 3’s journalists has been delivered earlier today to His Excellency, Mr. Ömür ŞÖLENDIL, the Ambassador of Turkey in Romania, to state their support for all the Turkish citizens who believe in and fight for fundamental human rights. (Please find attached the open letter signed by a large team of journalists from Antena 3.)
Adrian Ursu, one of the Antena 3 journalists present at the Turkish Embassy today said that „We try to convey the message that any form of censorship must be condemned the very moment is under debate. Unfortunately, we were silent when Hungary had enforced all kinds of legislative measures to impose restrictions on the press, thinking it was an isolated episode that would have no consequences. Unfortunately, we see it has proved to be a pattern for other powers in this space of ours, more tempted to return to dictatorship, sometimes. That is why we have decided to send this letter of protest.”
Sabina Iosub, Antena 3 anchor, added „Imagine that you wrote something on Facebook and someone you do not know and will not know, decided that your posting is dangerous and removed it without appeal. That can happen in Turkey if the new Internet law will pass. Turks, like us, are passionate people, but I am convinced that eventually reason will prevail. After all, progress comes out of discussion, not monologues, and contrary points of views have led the world further, always.”
For Ionut Cristache, Antena 3 reporter, the only natural reaction is revolt. „As a journalist, you can only revolt against such an abuse which is on the brink of regulation! Any attack on freedom of speech is an attack on persona, an attack to one’s right to be free and to think freely!”
Through this action of solidarity, Antena 3 wishes to offer its support to the Turkish people who have campaigned for freedom of expression in the past days, and to spread their message further, hoping that the Turkish authorities will choose to respect the principles of democracy and fundamental human rights.
Antena 3 is the leading news channel in Romania, affiliated with CNN International and part of Intact Media Group, the largest media group in Romania.
Read the letter from Antena 3’s journalists