Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, indicates that the mass cancellation of broadcasting licenses, criminal investigations of hundreds of journalists and blocked websites are severe challenges to freedom of expression and media in Turkey. According to the press release of the OSCE, Dunja Mijatović mentions that democratically elected governments must be safeguarded however in turn have to protect media freedom and additionally support the role journalists play in ensuring and strengthening democracies. The representative emphasizes on the fact that due to the difficult times in Turkey, the authorities need to ensure media freedom offline and online in line with their international commitments.
