Turkish president marks Working Journalists' Day

By Zafer Fatih Beyaz

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday released a message, marking the Jan. 10 Working Journalists' Day.

“The existence of media, which is polyphonic, effective and capable of informing the public without being subject to any restrictions, is an indispensable condition of a democratic and transparent society,” Erdogan said in the message.

The president noted that Turkey quickly adapts to developments in communication technologies and Turkey is one of the leading countries in the world in printed and broadcast media as well as in social media and Internet journalism.

For the existence of a healthy public opinion, Erdogan said, it is even more important for media employees to ensure their professional ethics and their sensitivity of providing impartial and accurate information.

“Our country has gone through periods during which our democracy was interrupted and obstacles were placed on the way of development,” he said.

“It has taken a long time for our press and our society to get rid of the negative effects of this process,” the president added.

“I believe that our media will fulfill the duty of informing people accurately and impartially,” Erdogan said.

Working Journalists' Day has been celebrated since 1961 to honor the rights of journalists.