President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the TRT World Forum 2023 in Istanbul

 

Noting that the massacres, which have been continuing in Gaza since October 7, have reminded the importance of not only free but also just and conscientious press, President Erdoğan stated that the world is faced with a media blackout where the massacre of nearly 18 thousand innocents, most of them women and children, is not covered in the media as widely as a paper cut.

Underscoring that Israel is killing not only women and children in Gaza but also members of press, who are trying to work under harsh conditions, as well, President Erdoğan pointed out that the number of journalists who have lost their lives during the attacks is over 70, and added: “What is graver is that international media outlets accept this picture. Think about it. A journalist is massacred each day, but none of the institutions, who have for years preached at us about press freedom, says even a single word.”

“GLOBAL MEDIA CARTELS SEEK TO DISREGARD THE ATROCITY IN GAZA”

President Erdoğan went on to say: “Global media cartels seek to disregard the atrocity in Gaza and to legitimize the journalist massacre under the pretext of Hamas. We reject this unconscientious attitude that destroys the human dignity, let alone press freedom and media ethics. Those, who remain silent, today, to the killings of journalists in Gaza, can have no right to talk about any other issue, tomorrow. What actually matters is to talk today, write today and tell the truth today. What really matters is to make the cries of the oppressed and the wronged heard today. And it is what Turkish media outlets are endeavoring to achieve. I congratulate from the bottom of my heart our TRT, Anadolu Agency and other press institutions that have opened a vital communication corridor from Gaza to the world, taking every risk. I appreciate the works to combat disinformation spread by Israel’s propaganda machine woven with lies. Our center’s revelation of over 30 Israeli lies has shown how important these efforts are.”

“Israel, which cannot brake the Gazans’ will of resistance despite all its barbarism, is losing the war of propaganda in the media as well,” President Erdoğan said.