Turkey’s government has shut down dozens of media outlets, including 45 newspapers and 16 TV stations, in response to a failed military coup two weeks ago, a state-run news agency reported Wednesday.
A total of 130 media organizations have been closed as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was democratically elected, tries to tighten his control and punish those who supported the coup against him. Besides the newspapers and TV stations, 23 radio stations, 15 magazines and three news agencies have been ordered closed amid the massive crackdown following the coup attempt.
The government is particularly targeting outlets linked to Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric whom Erdogan has named as the individual behind the failed coup.
Earlier this week, 47 former executives and top journalists of Turkish newspaper Zaman were picked up for supposed links to Gulen.
About 16,000 people have been detained by federal officials due to suspected links to the coup attempt. Half of those were formally arrested and will face trial, Interior Minister Efkan Ala said Wednesday.
Turkey is a key NATO ally, partly because of its strategic location on both the Asian and European continents.
