The chairman of the Turkish Press Council has called on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to substantiate claims that some Turkish journalists have been seeking unfair benefits.
In a written statement issued Monday, Press Council chairman Oktay Ekþi said that the Prime Minister should name any journalists who were taking unfair advantage of their position. If this was the case, these persons did not deserve to remain on the Press Council, Ekþi said.
Erdðgan had made his comments during a meeting with Eksi last week, saying that the attacks directed against the government by the media were prompted by a refusal to grant them extra benefits.
The Prime Minister had also said that some persons claiming to be journalists had made appointments with him in order to seek advantages in investment projects, bids, or tenders.
Eksi said that the Press Council would take action against such persons if the charges were proved.
“Journalism can’t be manipulated and used as a tool for private ends,” he said. “It is one of the most important principles of journalism.”