Turkish minister tried to manipulate newspaper ads: Report

Raising more concerns over press freedom in Turkey, Cumhuriyet published what it called the transcripts of five wiretaps of Bayraktar’s conversations. AA Photo

Former Environment Minister Erdoğan Bayraktar, who resigned from his position after the Dec. 17 graft probe, allegedly manipulated newspaper ads to “nurture” the pro-government media, according to a summary of proceedings sent to the Justice Ministry, daily Cumhuriyet reported May 28.

Raising more concerns over press freedom in Turkey, Cumhuriyet published what it called the transcripts of five wiretaps of Bayraktar’s conversations.

In the only wiretap from 2011, Bayraktar allegedly had a phone conversation with Murat Kurum, General Manager of Emlak Konut GYO, which is Turkey’s biggest real estate investment trust and a subsidiary of the Prime Ministry Housing Development Administration (TOKİ).

Kurum, as well as Bayraktar’s son, were among those detained in the scope of the Dec. 17 graft probe.

According to the transcript of a conversation on Nov. 20, 2011, Bayraktar instructed Kurum to advertise in the media outlets owned by the Albayrak Group. “They are here with me now. The Albayrak [brothers] can hear your voice. We have to nurture them, too,” Bayraktar allegedly said, while asking for a “not too big” favor.

In the second wiretap, dated Jan. 9, 2013, Bayraktar is heard again calling Kurum to ask for the “strengthening” of other pro-government media outlets, specifically naming daily Star, “with advertisements or by other means.”

When Kurum responded that they were already placing many ads in those outlets, Bayraktar allegedly said: “Those ads are routine, you’re putting them everywhere. We need to make a more positive situation with regards to [Star]. Make them stronger.”

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