“In the absence of any evidence of their role or participation in the violent attempt to overthrow the government, we strongly condemn this accelerated assault on the media, which further undermines Turkey’s democratic credentials”.
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The government alleges the shuttered media organizations were linked to the Hizmet movement, which it accuses of orchestrating a July 15 failed military coup that left more than 200 people dead.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Turkey to stop what it calls a “sweeping purge” of the media.
The media organisations to have closed include 16 television stations, 23 radio stations, 15 magazines, 29 publishing houses and 45 newspapers.
They have also issued warrants for the detention of 47 former executives or senior journalists of Turkey’s Zaman newspaper.
According to a Reuters report Turkey’s Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told broadcaster Haberturk TV on Thursday that Fethullah Gulen, who has been living in self-imposed exile, could flee to Australia, Mexico, Canada, South Africa or Egypt.
Gulen, an ally-turned-foe of President Tayyip Erdogan who had built up an extensive network of schools, charities and businesses in Turkey over decades, has condemned the coup attempt and denies any involvement in it.
More than 18,000 people have been detained or arrested at some point since the abortive coup, with more than 3,500 of them since released.
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Turkey has rejected claims that the crackdown is too heavy-handed.
