Danger on Turkey’s streets: Reporting on the civil unrest

By Özgür Öğret/CPJ Istanbul Correspondent It all changed so swiftly. The demand and price of gas masks, protective eyewear, and helmets rocketed in Istanbul. Not only protestors, but journalists, too, contributed to the rush. Hardware store clerks were quick studies, explaining to journalists which masks offer you a better line of sight when taking pictures, or the problem of speaking through a mask when broadcasting live. Of course, the gear only works when it is worn, not after police confiscate the equipment. Turkey is making world news over violent clashes between police and tens of thousands of protesters. Journalists reporting the news have been targeted in the street by variety of actors, including law enforcement and protesters, and have been assailed in columns and commentary by fellow journalists. Turkey has long been a dangerous place for some journalists, especially reporters covering the Kurdish insurgency in any way that challenges the views of the state. But covering the news in Turkey is now more dangerous than it has been in two decades. Continue reading online.

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