Mayor Akgün: "Free press is indispensable for strong democracies”

Mayor of Büyükçekmece, who published a message regarding January 10 Working Journalists Day. Hasan Akgun, said that "Free press is indispensable for strong democracies”.

Büyükçekmece Mayor Dr. Hasan Akgün reminded that January 10, the anniversary of the amendment of the Press Labor Law numbered 5953 with Law 212 in favor of working journalists in 1961, was celebrated as "Working Journalists Day" and published the following message:
     "Sorry to tell you that, today, the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression in Turkey is declining with each passing year. A new era, in which journalists can write and draw their thoughts freely and without pressure, their freedom is not restricted because of their thoughts, and the obstacles to press freedom are removed, is our common desire. The development of democracies is based on human rights and freedoms. If people have the freedom to write and if they can express what they think freely, then there is democracy in that country. It is our greatest wish that 2021 will be a new era in terms of freedom of the press and improving the rights of working journalists. I firmly believe that our journalists, who work devotedly in order to fulfill their duties properly under very difficult conditions, will defend the public's right to news and to learn the facts within the framework of the principles of their profession.

   With these feelings and thoughts; Based on the principle of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, "The press is the common voice of a nation", we congratulate all our members of the press who work devotedly, wish good health and success, and commemorate all journalists who lost their lives with respect.”