Turkish Newspapers Reduce Publications Due to Economic Crisis
Due to the recent grave economic situation in Turkey, caused by the sharp devaluation of the local currency Lira against the US Dollar, seven leading newspapers of Izmir decided to suspend Sunday publications, reports Birgün.
"Due to rising prices on imported paper, devaluation of the Lira and economic problems, we will not publish our newspapers on Sundays," Murat Atilla, editor of one of the publications said.
In addition, one of the ultra-nationalist newspapers Aydınlık was suspended for three days due to the economic problems.
Government-critical newspapers Cumhuriyet and Sözcü had to increase the newspaper price by 25% in order to survive the economic shocks.
Birgün says Turkey's publishing industry was significantly affected by the economic crisis. Newspapers, publishing houses and bookstores are among the most affected businesses in the country.
According to Reporters Without Borders, the country is ranked 157th out of a total 180 countries in terms of freedom of the press.
The situation in the country became especially hard after the coup attempt of July 2016. By the decree of the government, up to 200 newspapers, television, radio and news agencies were shut down in the country.
According to the Stockholm Liberty Center, the number of journalists detained in Turkey in the same period is 237.
By Thea Morrison