EUROPEUS

(By Erol Önderoglubia / Source: Bianet.org – Turkey) Freedom of Expression Desk has published its “Media Observation Report” for the period of July-August-September. The Desk has been informing the public regularly about the rights violations regarding the media, the reporters and the freedom of expression since 2000. In addition to the international freedom of expression institutions such as IFEX, RSF, CPJ, Article XIX, the Media Observation Reports has become an important source for the European Commission and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe AGİT as well. To the arrangements that limit the freedom of communication was added No. 5651 Law on Internet Crimes, after the Law on Struggle against Terror, the Turkish Penal Code and the Law for Protection of Atatürk. The global vide sharing site youtube.com has been banned for six months now for having videos insulting to the memory of Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic. The internet site of dailymotion was banned for one month. Geocities.com has been banned for eight months. The internet site of gundemonline.com was banned by a court order, too.

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(By Ertuğrul Kürkçü / Source : Bianet.org – Turkey) Those who believe that the issue of headscarves at university is a “legal issue” are totally mistaken. We are faced with a historical question: Does the new block of Islamist AKP and ultranationalist MHP with the passive consent of the army represent a moment of freedom?

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