ANKARA, Turkey, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A free speech group Monday condemned the Turkish government's attempts to tamp down on journalists who are critical of public officials. <\/p>\n
Freedom House released a report detailing instances in which journalists have been intimidated or fired as a result of publishing critical reports about the government. The situation has worsened since a large corruption scandal was publicized in December, the group said. <\/p>\n
Today's Zaman said the report shows clearly the lengths to which government officials will go to stifle dissent, including strong-arm tactics, eavesdropping and bribery. <\/p>\n
\"The crisis in Turkey's democracy is not a future problem,\" said David J. Kramer, president of Freedom House and a co-author of the report. \"The media face tremendous pressure from the government, and the government now has widened its attacks to other institutions.\" <\/p>\n
Kramer said the tactics put at risk Turkey's desire to join the European Union and the country's longstanding alliance with the United States. <\/p>\n
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Continued here: ANKARA, Turkey, Feb. Continue reading
\nReport: Turkish gov't clamping down on reporters<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"