Turkish papers change anti-AKP tack after takeover
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Two Turkish news dailies known to oppose Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Friday published front-page headlines of a surprisingly pro-government nature, just days after the Turkish judiciary took over control of their operations.
The alleged change of political allegiance followed the Ankara Prosecutor's Office move on Tuesday to assign a caretaker panel to manage several newspapers and TV stations owned by Koza Ipek group, among these the Bugun and Millet newspapers. The seizure has been seen by some analysts as further blow to independent media ahead of elections next week.
Koza Ipek has been accused by the Turkish government of financing the US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who the AKP has accused of heading a "parallel state" aimed at bringing down the current government.
After the takeover, the once-critical dailies dedicated their Friday front-pages to the 92th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.
"Turkey one heart" read Millet's headline with a photo from Thursday's celebrations featuring Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan, who is still seen by some as a main figure in the AKP although he is no longer officially a member.
Bugun had a similar nationalist headline and images.
The alleged change of political allegiance followed the Ankara Prosecutor's Office move on Tuesday to assign a caretaker panel to manage several newspapers and TV stations owned by Koza Ipek group, among these the Bugun and Millet newspapers. The seizure has been seen by some analysts as further blow to independent media ahead of elections next week.
Koza Ipek has been accused by the Turkish government of financing the US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who the AKP has accused of heading a "parallel state" aimed at bringing down the current government.
After the takeover, the once-critical dailies dedicated their Friday front-pages to the 92th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.
"Turkey one heart" read Millet's headline with a photo from Thursday's celebrations featuring Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan, who is still seen by some as a main figure in the AKP although he is no longer officially a member.
Bugun had a similar nationalist headline and images.