Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Visit to Bülent Arınç

The council members visited the Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç after the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, speaking to the committee led by Dünya Gazette Editor in Chief and TOBB Media and Communication Council President Hakan Güldağ, said that communications council was planned to be held in 2012 wherein the problems of the sector would be discussed.

Arınç said, “In 2003-2004 the Press Council convened and the press legislation was the result. The foundations of the press legislation were laid in that council. Likewise we have decided to convene a communications council. There are new forays into media and social media. We may assess the press legislation during this council. We also wish to reassess the penal code and the fight against terrorism. We are planning a large event hosting deans of communications faculties, directors of press corporations and academics.”

Stating that they have revised the RTÜK Law, Arınç said, “Nobody believed we would do it. We have prepared the internet law. Legal authorities have gone over it and there were no objections. We think it will go into effect in October. We based this on news sites. We have completed preparations for those who work on these sites can also benefit from rights like press passes etc. We are planning similar for advertising. We are working to this end.”

Touching on the subject of the journalists in prison, Arınç said, “There must be full freedom of speech in journalism. If a person commits an act considered criminal by law while engaging in journalism, then that would be judged by courts.”