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Turkey’s President Assails Plan to Muzzle Social Media Turkey’s Leaders Spar Over Plan to Muzzle Social Media
(about 1 hour later)
ISTANBUL — Just hours after the prime minister of Turkey threatened to shut down Facebook and YouTube, the country’s president voiced reassurance on Friday that reversing course on civil liberties was “out of the question.”ISTANBUL — Just hours after the prime minister of Turkey threatened to shut down Facebook and YouTube, the country’s president voiced reassurance on Friday that reversing course on civil liberties was “out of the question.”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed Thursday night to restrict social media after local elections this month, despite harsh reactions worldwide to a crackdown that has included a law, approved in February, tightening government control of the Internet.Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed Thursday night to restrict social media after local elections this month, despite harsh reactions worldwide to a crackdown that has included a law, approved in February, tightening government control of the Internet.
“There are further steps we’re preparing to take after March 30,” the election date, Mr. Erdogan said in a live broadcast by the pro-government channel ATV.“There are further steps we’re preparing to take after March 30,” the election date, Mr. Erdogan said in a live broadcast by the pro-government channel ATV.
“Some are talking about YouTube, Facebook, this and that, ‘What would the world say?’ and all that,” Mr. Erdogan continued. “Some of my friends and I remain determined about this; we will not allow this nation to be devoured by YouTube, Facebook or whatever. We will take necessary steps in the firmest way.”“Some are talking about YouTube, Facebook, this and that, ‘What would the world say?’ and all that,” Mr. Erdogan continued. “Some of my friends and I remain determined about this; we will not allow this nation to be devoured by YouTube, Facebook or whatever. We will take necessary steps in the firmest way.”
Mr. Erdogan is embroiled in a corruption scandal, widely discussed on social media sites, in which he is heard in leaked telephone conversations discussing questionable financial dealings. He has said the corruption inquiry is being spearheaded by supporters of the Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in exile in Pennsylvania and whose followers have built up deep influence in Turkey’s police forces and judiciary system. Mr. Erdogan is embroiled in a corruption scandal, widely discussed on social media sites, in which he is heard in leaked telephone conversations discussing questionable financial dealings. He has said the corruption inquiry is being spearheaded by supporters of the Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in exile in Pennsylvania and whose followers have built up deep influence in Turkey’s police forces and judiciary system.
President Abdullah Gul, whom many have considered the last resort in taming the government’s repressive policies, indicated that he would not go along with the prime minister’s plan. But President Abdullah Gul, whom many have considered the last resort in taming the government’s repressive policies, indicated that he would not go along with the prime minister’s plan.
“Things like YouTube and Facebook are accepted all around the world, and their closure cannot be of discussion,” Mr. Gul said Friday in televised remarks. “Reversing on liberties is out of the question in Turkey. We always feel proud of reforms that enhance freedoms; they will always proceed further.”“Things like YouTube and Facebook are accepted all around the world, and their closure cannot be of discussion,” Mr. Gul said Friday in televised remarks. “Reversing on liberties is out of the question in Turkey. We always feel proud of reforms that enhance freedoms; they will always proceed further.”
Though Mr. Gul approved the law that tightened control of the Internet, he amended it to address some of the criticism that it violated personal freedoms. In one change, for example, the law was altered to require the authorities to get court orders if they seek to block web pages.Though Mr. Gul approved the law that tightened control of the Internet, he amended it to address some of the criticism that it violated personal freedoms. In one change, for example, the law was altered to require the authorities to get court orders if they seek to block web pages.
Still, thousands in Ankara and Istanbul have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest Internet restrictions and corruption in the government.Still, thousands in Ankara and Istanbul have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest Internet restrictions and corruption in the government.
Mr. Erdogan first asserted that all the leaked conversations were a misleading montage, but he later acknowledged that at least two were genuine: one with his justice minister, in which he demanded a court ruling against a media patron, and another with a media executive, asking that coverage of an election rival be dropped.Mr. Erdogan first asserted that all the leaked conversations were a misleading montage, but he later acknowledged that at least two were genuine: one with his justice minister, in which he demanded a court ruling against a media patron, and another with a media executive, asking that coverage of an election rival be dropped.
In another recording, which the prime minister said was edited, he is heard directing his son to rid his house of large amounts of cash on the day the police began the corruption investigation and raided the homes of suspects. In another recording, which the prime minister said was edited, he is heard telling his son to rid his house of large amounts of cash on the day the police began the corruption investigation and raided the homes of suspects.
Asked Thursday whether new strictures would include the shutdown of social media sites in Turkey, Mr. Erdogan replied without hesitation: “That included.”Asked Thursday whether new strictures would include the shutdown of social media sites in Turkey, Mr. Erdogan replied without hesitation: “That included.”
Accusing the Gulen movement of using the Internet to attack him, he said the new laws were necessary because “these people and institutions are encouraging all kinds of immorality, spying, espionage for their personal gains and interests.”Accusing the Gulen movement of using the Internet to attack him, he said the new laws were necessary because “these people and institutions are encouraging all kinds of immorality, spying, espionage for their personal gains and interests.”
“There is no limit,” he continued. “There cannot be such an understanding of freedom.”“There is no limit,” he continued. “There cannot be such an understanding of freedom.”