ANKARA, April 3. /Corr. TASS Kirill Zharov/. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he did not discuss with the American leader Barack Obama the subject of freedom of expression and media in Turkey
As informs television channel NTV, he said this at the end of their stay in the United States, commenting on the criticism expressed by Obama in his address.
“I’m upset that for the eyes I have made such statements. In negotiations with Mr Obama this topic was not raised. And even earlier, speaking on the phone, we discussed what would be useful to talk through the press, and one-on-one”
Erdogan
April 2, Obama said his “troubled by certain trends inside Turkey.” “And I’m it directly to him (Erdogan) said, so there is no secret here. Occupied by them (Turkish authorities) approach to the media is able to lead Turkey on the path that will be of great concern”, — said the President of the United States.
Erdogan in this regard, noted that “we need to separate criticism and insult” that appear in the media concerning the leadership of the country. “In the headlines of some Newspapers heard direct threats. In the U.S. over the threat to the President there are five years in prison and a large fine. Insults and threats may not be regarded as freedom of the press or criticism. If we discussed it with Obama, I would say about it,” said Erdogan.
Europe and the US have repeatedly drawn attention to existing, in their opinion, cases of violation of freedom of speech and press in Turkey. In the Republic, some Newspapers can afford pretty harsh criticism of the current government, which, according to Turkish authorities, becomes the permissible limits.
