Kurdish Community in Germany Backs Rastinews, Journalist Filiz Deniz Amid Threats
The Kurdish Community in Germany (KGD) has voiced support for Rastinews and journalist Filiz Deniz, who have faced threats and insults since the outlet published the "İmralı notes."
RastinewsThe Kurdish Community in Germany (KGD) has issued a statement of support for Rastinews and journalist Filiz Deniz, who have become targets of threats and insults following the publication of the "İmralı notes."
KGD said Rastinews and the journalist in charge of the outlet, Filiz Deniz, have faced insults, defamation and personal threats on social media for several days. The statement also noted that access to the news platform from Turkey has been blocked on multiple occasions.
The attacks, the statement said, intensified after Rastinews published the "İmralı notes" — documents circulating online concerning talks between Abdullah Öcalan and a delegation from Kandil.
"Criticism is legitimate; threats and censorship are not"
KGD condemned the threats and intimidation directed at journalists and declared its solidarity with Rastinews and Filiz Deniz.
The statement read:
"Press freedom is one of the fundamental values of democratic societies. Journalism must be able to operate independently, and controversial or uncomfortable information must be publishable. Journalists must not be silenced through political campaigns, personal pressure or threats."
The statement stressed that protecting journalists' sources is one of the basic conditions of a free press, adding: "Journalistic work can be criticized, but threats, intimidation and censorship are unacceptable."