Panel discussion on VOA documentary on erosion of press freedom in Turkey
In the two decades under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, press freedom has eroded. During his tenure, Turkey is now the top jailer of journalists in the world and government censorship is on the rise. Voice of America’s new documentary, “Turkey: Breaking the Silence,” profiles citizens, journalists, and activists whose stories help explain the forces driving media repression. The film reveals how deep divisions in Turkish society and politics, combined with autocratic power, have evolved to repress critical news coverage and stifle free speech.
Freedom House and Voice of America invite you to a discussion of the film and the Turkish media environment featuring Nate Schenkkan, Director for Special Research at Freedom House, and the film producer, VOA Executive Producer Beth Mendelson. Working from Washington, D.C., Beth directed a team on the ground in Turkey that reported from Istanbul and the countryside.
We invite you to view the 40-minute film, Turkey: Breaking the Silence, prior to the event.