TURKISH DEPUTY PREMIER EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF FREE MEDIA

ISTANBUL (A.A) - 26.11.2010 - Turkey's deputy premier said on Friday that no unidentified murders, acts of torture or military coups could be conducted or considered in countries with an independent and free media.
Turkish State Minister & Deputy Premier Bulent Arinc attended a gathering titled "News Agencies Meeting in the European Capital of Culture" held on the sidelines of general assembly of Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA)organized jointly by Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency and Anadolu Agency (AA) in Istanbul.
Delivering a speech at the meeting, Arinc said news agency had a unique place in the communication world.
"News agencies consider news as only news. They do not make comments, besides, they are more objective and reliable. These features of news agencies attach them a much greater importance," Arinc said.
The deputy premier also noted that a free and objective media was the greatest supporter of a high-profile democracy.
"In societies with an independent and free media, there cannot be unidentified murders, acts of torture or coups. In countries where journalists work independently and freely, there can never be bribery, corruption or stealing," Arinc noted.
"The weighing scale never gets confused in societies with a free media and journalists. There, the state does not act harshly but with compassion," he added.
Describing the news as the main ingredient and capital of journalism, Arinc said news stories should be released whether or not they caused disturbance or appreciation.
"News should be objective and they should reflect the naked truth. People should be able to make comments by themselves," Arinc noted.
The deputy premier also said that all relevant parties should fulfill their responsibilities in order to help the profession of journalism and the media sector gain a strong and prestigious position again.