Turkey: 94 journalists denied official press cards by government commission

94 journalists have been denied official press cards by the Turkish government's press card commission, which met on December 4, 2014.

Among the journalists whose press cards were not renewed were Ekrem Dumanlı, editor of the newspaper Zaman, who was arrested and detained on December 14 in a raid on media outlets critical of the Turkish government.

Turgay Olcayto, president of the Turkish Journalists' Association (TGC), criticized the denial of the press cards, saying he hasn't experienced anything similar before.

208 journalists who applied for press cards for the first time had their requests approved.

Turkish media reports listed the following journalists among those whose renewal applications were rejected: Cüneyt Özdemir, Kanal D (television station); Murat Yetkin, writer for Hürriyet and Radikal, Murad Sezer, Reuters photographer; Kezban Bülbül, broadcaster TRT Haber; Kebal Yerteri, CNN Türk; Abdurrezzak Oral, Akşam Gazetesi.

On January 13, Kanal D journalist Cüneyt Özdemir criticized the commission's sudden decision on Twitter, writing that he has been a journalist for 25 years.

Today's Zaman reported that the commission that approves press cards will review its decision at its next meeting in February or March.