685 Press Cards Revoked Over ‘National Security’

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Speaking at the meeting of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Planning and Budget Commission, Vice President Fuat Oktay has also answered questions on cancellation of press cards.

Oktay has indicated that after the Directorate General of Press and Information was closed and the Presidency Directorate of Communications was established in its place, there has arisen "the necessity to update the yellow press cards" so that "the use of irregular and fake press cards could be prevented and it could be easier for press members to work by increasing the prestige of the press card."

Announcing that 343 yellow press cards have been given in 2019 so far, Oktay has stated that after the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, press cards of 685 press members have been cancelled "on the ground that they were determined to belong to, have contact with or to be affiliated with organizations posing a threat to national security."

Oktay has briefly indicated the following about the issue:

"As of 2019, the number of press cards given to local and international members of press in Turkey is 343. While local media-oriented incentive competitions, trainings and contact meetings are organized by the Directorate, conveniences are also provided in terms of press cards, service-stamped passports and the like.

"The press cards of 685 members of the press, who were determined to be working for or in contact with media outlets that were evaluated to belong to, have contact with or to be affiliated with organizations posing threat to national security have been revoked in accordance with the related regulation in the period following the July 15 treacherous coup attempt." (AS/SD)