Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become increasingly oppressive as he continues to strive to revive the Ottoman Empire. He deems Europe to be a “sick man” and “collapsing.” Now Erdogan is now more emboldened than ever after he has seized his latest conquest: Hagia Sophia.
Erdogan is now tightening his grip. His Islamist party is pushing a bill “to crack down on citizen’s right to post freely on social media, forcing companies to censor or face fines and restrictions.” He also wants the identity of users unveiled.
Turkey should have been kicked out of NATO long ago. As Erdogan cracks down on whatever is left of freedom domestically and intensifies his abuse of human rights, he has long proven to be no friend of the West and of the NATO alliance.
“Turkey: Islamists Push Law to Force Social Media Companies to Hand Over Intelligence,” by Ben Kew, Breitbart, July 22, 2020:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party is promoting a legislative bill this week seeking to crack down on citizen’s right to post freely on social media, forcing companies to censor or face fines and restrictions.
Voice of America (VOA) reported on Tuesday that Erdogan’s allies in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey are currently drawing up legislation, which if passed, will force social media giants including Twitter, Facebook, and Google to appoint a legal representative in Turkey to respond to court requests demanding the removal of content or unveiling the identity of users.
Companies that fail to comply with the new legislation within a month of coming into effect will face gradually increasing fines and bandwidth reductions of up to 90 percent, according to one Turkish legislator….
“These platforms do not suit this nation,” Erdogan declared during a recent meeting with members of his Justice and Development (AKP) party. “We want to shut down, control [them] by bringing [a bill] to parliament as soon as possible.”
Erdogan demanded the legislation be fast-tracked through parliament. On Tuesday, lawmakers submitted a nine-draft bill that the general assembly will debate next week.
Freedom of the press has become a severe problem in Turkey over recent years. Following the failed coup against Erdogan in 2016, the president has used his powers to arrest, intimidate, harass, censor, or persecute those seen as a threat to his authority. As of 2019, the Erdogan regime had imprisoned more journalists than any other country in the world.
“Freedom of expression in Turkey is under sustained and increasing attack,” noted Amnesty International.” Since the failed coup attempt in July 2016, academics, journalists, and writers who criticize the government risk criminal investigation and prosecution, intimidation, harassment, and censorship.”…
Mike Stevens says
Has anyone else noticed how in the photograph the red Turkish crescent image behind him has given him a pair of Satanic devil horns??
Keys says
Yes siree, first thing !
Since so-called “social media” and all of the internet is accessible world-wide, does this mean Erdogan would be able to get “intelligence” on his enemies world-wide, and then potentially use his thugs in other countries (like Germany and the USA) to carry out covert operations ?
Jaydam says
Almost certainly.
John McCall says
The first thing I noticed!
Larry says
An appropriate image.
Jim Jatras says
They only flip up when he gets excited.
CogitoErgoSum says
He seems to want to turn Turkey into another North Korea. Just never allow this man access to nuclear weapons and get him out of NATO …. NOW.
gravenimage says
Turkey: Pro-Sharia party pushes legislation to force social media companies to hand over intelligence
……………….
More crushing of freedom of speech is “moderate” Turkey.
Yogi says
And this stupid EU. Want Turkey in European Union !!, unbelievable..