Turkish gov’t restricts access to archive of media outlets closed under emergency rule

Access to archived copies of the journals, magazines and the newspapers that were shuttered as part of Turkey’s post-coup emergency decrees were restricted as the National Library was ordered by the government to blacklist such publications. According to Cumhuriyet newspaper, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism restricted access to past volumes of the publications printed by 29 publishing houses targeted in government decrees.

Researchers, from now on, must have the approval of the Undersecretary of the Culture Ministry to access the archives of such media outlets, Cumhuriyet said adding that possible requests should include detailed description for researches and its purposes.

The National Library has separated the periodicals department from the unit that contains only those publications with a banner that reads: “Banned Publications Section,” the newspaper said.

Zaman, Bugün, Millet, Meydan, Yarına Bakış, Yeni Hayat newspapers as well as Aksiyon, Nokta and Sızıntı magazines are reported to be shelved in this particular category.

“Erdoğan bans access to back vols. of closed periodicals. National Library joins ban. Scholars must do research abroad,” Duke University Professor Timur Kuran tweeted on Sunday. (turkeypurge.com) May 1, 2017

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