Erdogan slams 'vulgar, worthless' headline, promises punishment

A chilling fog cloaked Istanbul this week, creeping up slowly, making a mess of daily life.The thick shroud offered an obvious metaphor in thecountry that has the highest number of jailed journalists in the world,and came just as President RecepTayyipErdogantook questions from reportersin Turkey's largest city.

Responding to an uproar this week about a headline in the well-known Turkish daily Hurriyet, Erdogan was unequivocal:

"The headline is vulgar, worthless," Erdogan said.

Neither this newspapernor its bosses have the power to publish a headline like that.- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The offending words, this time, translate roughly to "The Commanders are Uneasy," and were splashed on the front page of the paper's Saturday edition.

The article cited military sources saying the military had not been consulted ona recent decision to allow female soldiers to wear headscarves. If the goal of the article, as the paper hassaid, was to clear up misconceptions about the army, it instead seemed to allude todiscord between the military and Erdogan's government.

"Neither this newspapernor its bosses have the power to publish a headline like that,"Erdogansaid, adding legal action has been taken.

Journalist faces investigation

With more than 150 journalists and writers in jail here and criticism regularly lobbed at many others, Erdogan's comments may not come as a surprise. What is a surprise is that the article was written by a journalist considered to be close to the government.

Hande Firat became a household name in Turkey on the night of the failed coup attempt onJuly 15 last year. She got Erdogan on the CNN Turk news network, live via theFacetime app, as the coup was unfolding. In that appearance, the president called on Turks to fill the streets in response to the rogue soldiers and they did.

• A view from Istanbul as the Turkish celebrate failure of military coup

She has beena pro-government media star ever since.

Firatherself once said being a journalist doesn't ensure special protection, that a journalist can be charged with a crime just like anyone else.

Within hours of Erdogan's comments on Tuesday, the newspaper published an apology and explanation. By Wednesday afternoon, the paper's editor was removed from his job, and Firat wasfacing an investigation.

"Those who are trying to turn us against each other are going to pay a heavy price," Erdogan said, referring to his government and the military. "I don't find it forgivable."

It's worth noting the headline's phrasing recalls major historical events in Turkey. Some journalists have pointed out that similar headlines were published before past military coups. The scars of last summer's coup attempt have not healed for many in this country, and certainly not for Erdoganor hissupporters;the symbolism of the words clearly crossed the lines they've drawn.

Censorship comes ahead of referendum

Firat may emerge unscathed, but German-Turkish reporter Deniz Yucelis facing a potential 10-year sentence for whatprosecutors allege ispublishing terrorist propaganda.

• German journalist detained in Turkey moved to prison

Yucel, who writes for the German daily newspaper Die Welt, is the first German reporter to be arrested in Turkey. He is also a Turkish citizen. His article referenced emails purportedly from the account of the country's energy minister, obtained by hacktivists. That minister is also Erdogan's son-in-law.

Long before the developments of this week, international organizations were sounding the alarm about treatment of the media in Turkey.

Members of advocacy group PEN International visited Istanbul in January to meet with some of the country's government officials and with some of theimprisoned journalists and writers here.PEN says Turkey is thebiggest jailer of journalists in the world.

Canadian philosopher and writer John Ralston Saul, who was part of the delegation, told CBC Newsthe groupwarned officials that censorship will compromisetheupcoming referendum on a presidential system in Turkey.

The country of 80 million is set to vote April 16 on whether to approve greatly expanded powers for Erdogan.

• Turkish PM launches 'yes' campaign over Erdogan powers

"The authorities said to us repeatedly 'After the referendum everything will be quiet, everything will be fine,'" Saul said. "We said to them, 'Look, we can tell you that from our experience, this will backfire.If you force a vote withoutfreedom of expression, the peopleinside the country who disagree with you will reject it. You've actually set the table for disorder,"he said.

Another PEN member, Turkish novelist and once jailed journalist Burhan Sonmez, cautioned against the misconception that Turkey's situation is anisolated one. He pointed specifically to the United States.

"Trump?" he asked. "We've already got a more powerful Trump in Turkey. If America would like to see their future if they don't change their road, maybe they have to study the history of the recent Turkish political system."

Taking sides

Though the number isshrinking, there are stillmany journalists and news outlets who freely report on what is happening in Turkey. Why are some targeted and others not? In some cases, it is tied to the media ecosystem here. Journalists write articles the government's supporters don't like, and are attacked on social media. After that, pro-government news outlets chime in. Thenthe government intervenes.

And while few would argue the importance of tackling sensationalist or unethical journalism, the government's rules don't appear to apply to media outlets that are closest to the administration.

Sothe rules are hazy.

In Istanbul, the fogfinally began to lift on Wednesday evening. Life started to goback to normal for most.

Just not for the journalists still awaiting their fate.