NICOSIA — The Turkish Cypriot Journalists’ Union expressed concern and sorrow over what it described as ongoing efforts to discredit journalists and the news they produce, saying such actions endanger lives and undermine the public’s right to information.
The statement follows a third reported incident of threats against a journalist.
Pınar Barut of the online newspaper Özgür said she received threats after publishing a story about the licensing of a nightclub. She posted on Facebook that the threats were directly linked to her reporting.
“The sole purpose of journalists is to deliver truth to the public,” the union said. “Yet both the news we report and the programs we produce are being deliberately targeted by individuals aligned with political interests and capital groups.”
The union criticized attempts to smear journalists and obstruct public responses to news stories, calling such actions deliberate efforts to suppress truth. It added that any claims requiring clarification should be addressed by responsible parties, not left unanswered.
The union also condemned personal attacks on journalists and their families, calling them unacceptable and a direct assault on the public’s right to access information.
“We are press workers fulfilling our duties under extremely difficult conditions, guided by global journalistic principles,” the statement said. “We expose corruption, misconduct, and injustice with objectivity. We will not tolerate any colleague being defamed, targeted, or used as leverage in dirty dealings because of their journalism.”
Two other journalists, Cianan Onurer of Kıbrıs Postası and Hüseyin Ekmekçi of Haber Kıbrıs, recently reported receiving threats after publishing stories on alleged illegal activities in the north.