Turkish minister tried to manipulate newspaper ads: Report
Former Environment Minister ErdoÄan Bayraktar, who resigned from his position after the Dec. 17 graft probe, allegedly manipulated newspaper ads to ânurtureâ 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 Bayraktarâs conversations.
In the only wiretap from 2011, Bayraktar allegedly had a phone conversation with Murat Kurum, General Manager of Emlak Konut GYO, which is Turkeyâs biggest real estate investment trust and a subsidiary of the Prime Ministry Housing Development Administration (TOKÄ°).
Kurum, as well as Bayraktarâs 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. âThey are here with me now. The Albayrak [brothers] can hear your voice. We have to nurture them, too,â Bayraktar allegedly said, while asking for a ânot too bigâ favor.
In the second wiretap, dated Jan. 9, 2013, Bayraktar is heard again calling Kurum to ask for the âstrengtheningâ of other pro-government media outlets, specifically naming daily Star, âwith advertisements or by other means.â
When Kurum responded that they were already placing many ads in those outlets, Bayraktar allegedly said: âThose ads are routine, youâre putting them everywhere. We need to make a more positive situation with regards to [Star]. Make them stronger.â
Bayraktar...
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