Turkey sentences six journalists to life in prison
February 23, 2018 – Next time you are about to book a holiday in Turkey think about the decision today to sentence six journalists in Turkey to life imprisonment over alleged links to the 2016 coup. It has been described as ‘barbaric’ by the Society of Editors. The convictions, the first relating to media figures, followed a long trial during which the prosecution alleged that the journalists sent “subliminal messages” via TV appearances and newspaper columns urging the overthrow of the government. Ian Murray, Executive Director of the Society of Editors described the sentences as an unprecedented assault on media freedom. He said: “The decision to sentence media figures in Turkey to life in prison without what appears to be substantial proof of their involvement in the coup is appalling and nothing less than barbaric.”