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Umit Ozturk

@umitozturk1.bsky.social
179 followers 485 following 91 posts

Poet, editor, broadcaster, playwright, linguist, curator. Creative writing and media trainer. Coordinator @euromernet. Cultural heritage, philosophy, cinema, books and.. cats! ❤️🕊✊🐈🐾

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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A prelude to the #BlackHistoryMonth: We're in London today, at the NUJ Black Members' Council event and book launch, celebrating the life and legacy of Lionel Morrison: journalist, anti-Apartheid activist, and the union's first Black president. Love, peace, solidarity. ❤️🕊✊️ @nujofficial.bsky.social
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Before the panel at the end of 2026 Congress of our iconic @peninternational.bsky.social, some inspiring words to take away: "In a world filling up with artificial voices, our priority is to defend the human voice and to protect the freedom to read and write for everyone." Love, peace, solidarity❤️🕊✊️
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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Opening our 92nd Annual Congress, PEN International President Burhan Sonmez addressed the Assembly about what is at stake as AI reshapes how we write and communicate. Every language carries its own memory of the world, and protecting that diversity is at the heart of our work. #PENCongress
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Martin O'Hagan was murdered 25 years ago. Vigil+panel discussion: "25 Years Demanding Justice" with Fran McNulty (NUJ Joint President), Laura Davison (NUJ Gen. Secretary) & journalists Richard Sullivan & Rebecca Black. Love, peace, and solidarity. ❤️🕊✊️ #JournalismIsNotACrime @nujofficial.bsky.social
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Fear, hate, greed, and war have never provided safety and stability to the world. Only #love, #peace, and #solidarity will liberate our souls and will beautify our sacred planet. ❤️🕊✊️ #worldpeaceday ☮️ #internationaldayofpeace
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Not 25 days, weeks, or months. It's been 25 years now since the forced disappearance of 12 Eritrean writers, poets & journalists. No news of them ever since. Panel by @peninternational.bsky.social & @englishpen.bsky.social at @kingscollege.bsky.social today. #ProofOfLife Love, peace, solidarity ❤️🕊✊️
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Edinburgh Arts Festival: Natasha Hirst, Chair of @nujofficial.bsky.online Photographers' Council & a panel of brilliant photographers (Alicia Bruce, Arusa Qureshi & Christian Noelle Charles), discuss the social, cultural & ethical issues of working within communities. Love, peace & solidarity. ❤️🕊✊️
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
With three great souls: Tahmina Anam, Viv Groskop, and Sabrin Hasbun after the @peninternational.bsky.social discussion at @edbookfest.bsky.social. I'm now opening the caption competition with: "Three Musketeers and D'Artagnan", or "Charlie and Three Angels." Love peace, and solidarity. ❤️🕊✊️
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Event by #PENInternational at #EdBookFest. Chair: Viv Groskop, with Sabrin Hasbun & Tahmima Anam, exploring themes from PEN International's resolution at its 91st Congress in Krakow: "The Present International Disorder and Breakdown of Peace – The Role of Writers" Love, peace, and solidarity ❤️🕊✊️
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
In Glasgow, this afternoon. Before the start of media and literature meetings in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the first mission was to visit virtual and real cat friends. More photos to follow. #cats #kittens #CatFather #catlover 😻❤️🥰🐈🐾
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IFJ- International Federation of Journalists @ifjglobal.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
♀️ Women journalists continue to face sexist attacks worldwide. The #IFJ Gender Council calls on media employers and governments to work harder to protect women journalists and defend their vital role in reporting news in the public interest. Read the statement from the IFJ Gender Council ⤵️
ifj.org
IFJ Gender Council calls on media to adopt strict policies to fight sexism at work / IFJ
A number of sexist attacks perpetrated against women journalists across the world have been reported to the International Federation of Journalists’ (IFJ) Gender Council. The Council calls on media ho...
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International Press Institute (IPI) @globalfreemedia.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
🇬🇷#Greece: IPI welcomes the passing of a new law by the Greek Parliament which both transposes the EU’s 2024 Anti-SLAPP Directive and introduces strong domestic safeguards for journalists facing abusive litigation. Read our full statement👇 buff.ly/Yjhwlc7
ipi.media
Greece: IPI welcomes strong anti-SLAPP law as welcome boost for press freedom – ipi.media
IPI welcomes strong anti-SLAPP law in Greece as welcome boost for press freedom
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Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
CPJ is renewing its demands for immediate accountability for the killing of Lebanese journalist, Amal Khalil, following an @amnesty.org investigation concluding that the Israeli strike that killed her should be investigated as a war crime. Read more⤵️ cpj.org/2026/08/cpj-...
cpj.org
CPJ renews accountability calls in the killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil after Amnesty International probe  - Committee to Protect Journalists
New York, August 6, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists is renewing its demands for immediate accountability for the killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil. This follows an Amnesty Internati...
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IFJ- International Federation of Journalists @ifjglobal.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
#UK: Google's separate AI deals with newsrooms risk undermining the possibility of collective bargaining to protect all newsrooms as traffic falls. Read more ⤵️
pressgazette.co.uk
The prisoner's dilemma: Why UK publishers are signing Google AI deals
Google AI deals being offered to UK offer short-term cash and some traffic but are they being struck at the expense of the news industry future?
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Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 03/08/2026
Our investigation into self-censorship within UK theatres is out. From Israel-Palestine to gender and other contentious issues, concerns about backlash and financial pressures are shaping what gets said - and staged. Read the investigation: www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/07/comp...
indexoncensorship.org
Complacency, culture wars and money troubles are killing political theatre - Index on Censorship
The smothering of uncomfortable voices is commonplace in UK theatre. But arts professionals would rather self-censor than confront uncomfortable truths
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IFJ- International Federation of Journalists @ifjglobal.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
#Greece: Victory! 📢 “The new legislative framework protecting Greek journalists against SLAPPs constitutes a significant step forward for press freedom, investigative journalism and the public's right to information" 👏 @JUADN1 www.ifj.org/media-centre...
ifj.org
Greece: Major victory for press freedom as anti-SLAPP legislation is passed / IFJ
The Greek Parliament adopted on 31 July 2026 a bill introducing formal legal safeguards against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPS). The International and European Federations of ...
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The National Union of Journalists @nujofficial.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
A spokesperson for the NUJ said: “This is a timely appeal by the PSNI. We know that there are people who have information about Lyra's murder and it is time to end the silence.” www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...
nuj.org.uk
NUJ welcomes PSNI’s renewed Lyra McKee appeal
The NUJ has welcomed the renewed appeal by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for information about the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
After a week of hiding in my "cave," away from the outside world, I had the honour of reading my poem from the "Changing Chalk Anthology," launched by @writingourlegacy. It was also lovely to catch up with fellow poets and writers Love, peace, and solidarity. ❤️🕊✊️ #poetry #poems #poet #poetrylovers
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Dear friends, it was a great pleasure to celebrate the 25th birthday of our charity #EuroMernet with you, both in person & virtually. We express our gratitude to our partners, our board of patrons, and over 900 interns & volunteers for their support since 2001. Love, peace, and solidarity. ❤️🕊✊️
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Dear friends; @EuroMernet is 25 years old! You're welcome to join us to celebrate together our joy and honour of serving our diverse communities for a quarter of a century. We'll have music, multi-course home-cooked Mediterranean foods, drinks, and a big birthday cake! Love, peace & solidarity ❤️🕊✊️
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The National Union of Journalists @nujofficial.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
"The NUJ had hoped that Lyra's family would find solace by securing a conviction through the judicial process [...] Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Lyra's family, partner, and friends at this incredibly difficult and distressing time." www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...
nuj.org.uk
NUJ statement on Lyra McKee murder verdict
The NUJ has responded after three men were found not guilty of the murder of journalist and union member Lyra McKee in a verdict delivered at Belfast Crown Court today (3 July).
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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
We're proud to share that our President Burhan Sonmez, has been awarded the Premio Hemingway for Witness of Our Time. His novels give voice to the persecuted and exiled, and the recognition reaffirms the message that literature remains our most powerful defence of freedom. Congratulations!
Imaghe featuring Burhan Sonmez, President of PEN International, in a professional portrait wearing a blue suit, taken by Roberk Brooks. A quote from Sonmez appears on the left, expressing his honor at receiving the Premio Hemingway in Lignano Sabbiadoro, reflecting on how writing holds beauty and rupture and speaking to the enduring importance of storytelling and freedom of expression. PEN International logo appears top left. Dark burgundy background with decorative text pattern.
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Happy birthday to #FranzKafka! ❤️🕊✊️
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Happy heavenly birthday to Danny Schechter - my eternal honorary brother, my source of inspiration, and my guiding sage in investigative journalism (and in witticism and satire). Danny would be 84 years old today. Longing for his great company will never end. Love you loads, brother Danny. ❤️🕊✊
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Dear friends; our extended celebration of #RefugeeWeek continues. Today, we have a drama about a Sudanese refugee in Australia & a drama/romance about a North Korean refugee in Brussels. Tomorrow, we'll post info on this month's last 2 film screenings. Love, peace, and solidarity ❤️🕊✊️ #EuroMernet
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
#EuroMernet is organising the last in person #RefugeeWeek event this evening, with a tile painting session, home-cooked food, music, and film screening. Love, peace, and solidarity. ❤️🕊✊️
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Dear friends, our Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller History Month (GRTHM) exhibition is on display at Brighton Jubilee Library until 30th June. Love, peace, and solidarity. ❤️ 🕊✊️ #OnwardsWithHope #OpreRoma #GRTHM
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Dear friends, the exhibition I curated for #EuroMernet to mark the #RefugeeWeek is now extended until 27th June. It features inspirational words from Khalil Gibran, Musa Moris Farhi, Naomi Shihab Nye, Amalia Fleming, Doğan Özgüden & İnci Tuğsavul and Amilcar Cabral. Love, peace, and solidarity. ❤️🕊✊️
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The National Union of Journalists @nujofficial.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
The NUJ fully supports calls for the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland to release its long-delayed report into the investigation of Martin O'Hagan's murder. “This delay is intolerable and without justification" said Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary. www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...
nuj.org.uk
NUJ condemns intolerable delay in Martin O'Hagan murder review
The NUJ has described as "intolerable” the action of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI) in blocking the release of its own report into the failed police investigation of t...
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
I am honoured to hear that one of my poems, "Exile as a Toxic Marmalade," has just been selected for publication in a forthcoming anthology. I'll post more details here soon. Love, peace, and solidarity. ❤️🕊✊️ #poetry #poet #poetrylovers #poetryislife #poems
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Dear friends; at #EuroMernet Film Club, this week we have a drama from Morocco: Touda is a Sheikha (a traditional singer), singing in the bars of her town under the gaze of men. She plans to move to Casablanca to gain recognition and for a better future for her son. ♀️ Love, peace, and solidarity ❤️🕊✊️
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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
We’re proud to be joining organisations, communities and individuals across the UK in celebrating and inspiring A Million Acts of Hope. Find out more and get involved: millionactsofhope.org #MillionActsOfHope @1mactsofhope.bsky.social
millionactsofhope.org
A Million Acts of Hope
In May 2026, community and faith groups, plus charities big and small, will come together to celebrate and inspire A Million Acts of Hope across Britain. There is far more that connects us than divide...
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Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 15/04/2026
Innocent people can have their lives ruined by legal bullying (SLAPPs). The government has a duty to protect them. As a first step, we need a clear commitment to stamp out SLAPPs in the King’s Speech. Hear from those targeted & take action⬇️ antislapp.uk/2026/04/15/h... #StopSLAPPs
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The National Union of Journalists @nujofficial.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Today, the NUJ and its UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition partners are bringing attention to SLAPPs. These are abusive legal threats & lawsuits filed to silence critical speech, which can target journalists, whistleblowers, campaigners, academics, and more. #StopSLAPPs
Graphic of a redacted newspaper frontpage imagining what it could look like "if legal bullies have their way".
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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
No matter your role - journalist, researcher, campaigner, survivor, or whistleblower - you should be protected when speaking in the public interest. We are calling for universal protections against SLAPPs. Take action: antislapp.uk/solutions/ta... #StopSLAPPs
Graphic inviting audiences to Take Action: The Government must act to stop legal bullying and #StopSLAPPS
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Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
"CPJ welcomes the safe release of U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson from her kidnappers in Iraq. Journalists should never be kidnapped or threatened for doing their job." — Sara Qudah, CPJ Middle East and North Africa Regional Director
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IFJ- International Federation of Journalists @ifjglobal.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
#Lebanon: 🔴 Journalists Ghada Daikh (Voice of Joy Radio) and Suzanne Khalil (Al-Nour Radio, Al-Manar TV) were killed on 8 April in Israeli bombings of civilian areas. We mourn the loss of our colleagues and strongly condemn Israel's indiscriminate attacks in Lebanon.
ujleb.com
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IFJ- International Federation of Journalists @ifjglobal.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
#Iraq: [UPDATE 08.04.2026 ] Great news ✊🏿 Journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted in Baghdad on 31 March, has been released. We welcome her release and reiterate that journalists must not be targeted for their reporting. @nwu.org @newsguild.org www.ifj.org//media-centr...
ifj.org
Iraq: Abducted US journalist has been released in Baghdad / IFJ
[UPDATE 08.04.2026] The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has welcomed the release of Shelly Kittleson on 7 April. Kittleson, a freelance American journalist who had been covering news fro...
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Today is International #RomaDay: a day to celebrate #Romani history & cultural heritage, but also to raise awareness on discrimination & racism they have been experiencing. Our thoughts are with global #Roma & #Traveller communities. Love, peace, and solidarity ❤️🕊✊️ #OpreRoma
Today is International #RomaDay: a day to celebrate #Romani history & cultural heritage, but also to raise awareness on discrimination & racism they have been experiencing. Our thoughts are with global #Roma & #Traveller communities.
Love, peace, and solidarity ❤️🕊✊️
#OpreRoma
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Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Journalists are civilians under international humanitarian law. Facilities and equipment utilized for reporting and disseminating news are also civilian structures. They must be respected and protected. Journalists are #NotATarget.
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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Today we share a poem from @pen-tlrc.bsky.social read in Tudaga (Tebu/Teda), the language of the Toubou, an Indigenous people of the central Sahara living in northern Chad, Niger and southern Libya. Its alphabet, developed in 1998, is now taught in schools in southern Libya. youtu.be/xl7jaZKXJV0
youtu.be
Abdelsalama Wahali Brahim: Oorzunu-ã (La pitié) Tudaga (Toubou/tedu/teda) Mosko Hanadii-ĩ
YouTube video by Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee of PI
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IFJ- International Federation of Journalists @ifjglobal.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
#Uganda: Journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose of DigiTalk Media was abducted by plain-clothed officials on 29 March in Kampala. We condemn this violent act orchestrated to intimidate journalists and suppress media freedom and freedom of expression. @abellanger.bsky.social
ifj.org
Uganda : Journalist abducted and detained by security agents / IFJ
Journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose of DigiTalk Media was abducted by plain- clothed officials on 29 March in the capital Kampala, after coming out from a radio talk show in which he was invited as a gue...
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Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 02/04/2026
#UK: Since breaking our investigation into book‑banning in Greater Manchester, more cases of censorship have come to light. Including reports that school librarians are being told to remove art books featuring historic nude paintings ⬇️ www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
dailymail.co.uk
School librarians told to remove art books with 'paintings of nudes'
The 'insane' trend was revealed by a delegate at the annual conference of the National Education Union (NEU), saying she had heard 'many accounts' of art books being cut.
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IFJ- International Federation of Journalists @ifjglobal.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Happy International Fact-Checking Day! ➡Stay vigilant, ➡Check your sources ➡and rely on quality, independent media #PressFreedom #factchecking
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Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
UN experts said the targeted killing of three Lebanese journalists constitutes another egregious attack on press freedom by Israeli forces and must be promptly, fully and independently investigated by an international body. Read the statement ⤵️ www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel... 📷 AP/Mohammed Zaatari
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Umit Ozturk @umitozturk1.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
#womenshistorymonth ends. The recent war on Iran is on the news daily, but almost only military and ideological topics are discussed. These two films look at other equally important aspects in Iranian history: women scholars, women poets, and women in cinema. ♀️ Love, peace, and solidarity ❤️🕊✊️
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The National Union of Journalists @nujofficial.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary said: “We condemn this latest egregious attack by Israel forces on a clearly marked media van, in clear violation of international law." www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...
nuj.org.uk
NUJ condemns the killing of three journalists in Lebanon
The NUJ has joined the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in condemning the targeted killing of three Lebanese journalists in an Israeli drone strike on a media car in Jezzine, southern Leb...
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Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
One month into the Iran war, CPJ reiterates the importance of journalism in providing vital information to civilians living through it. Journalists have been harassed, threatened, and obstructed from reporting throughout the Middle East.
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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
We join @globalfreemedia.bsky.social and partners in urging EU leaders to facilitate the professional mobility of journalists from #Türkiye. Read our open letter: www.pen-international.org/news/eu-visa...
pen-international.org
EU: Visa policies obstruct mobility of journalists from Türkiye — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
‍ 26 March 2026: PEN International joins the International Press Institute, and other press freedom, freedom of expression, journalists’ and human rights organisations in calling on EU leaders to addr...
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IFJ- International Federation of Journalists @ifjglobal.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
#Türkiye: Current #EU visa policies obstruct Turkish journalists' mobility. Together with other organisations, we sent a joint letter to the EU calling for the establishment of a targeted "visa corridor" for recognised media professionals. @europeanjournalists.org
ifj.org
Türkiye: Joint letter to the EU on current visa policies obstructing Turkish journalists' mobility / IFJ
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), together with other press freedom, freedom of expression, journalists’ and human rights organisations, calls for the establishment of a targeted &quo...
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