The BBC's Mark Lowen was detained and deported from Turkey while reporting on widespread protests following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, raising concerns over press freedom in the country.
Turkey Expels BBC Journalist Amid Protest Crackdown
Turkey Expels BBC Journalist Amid Protest Crackdown
Mark Lowen deported after covering unrest sparked by rival politician's arrest.
Turkey has taken swift action against foreign media coverage of its internal unrest, as evidenced by the recent deportation of BBC correspondent Mark Lowen. The journalist was detained for 17 hours after being accused of being a "threat to public order" while he reported on protests ignited by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a high-profile rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The BBC announced that Lowen was released and flown back to London following his unusual detention.
Deborah Turness, the CEO of BBC News, expressed deep concern over the incident, condemning it as a violation of journalistic freedom. She stated, "No journalist should face this kind of treatment simply for doing their job." Lowen's reporting focused on the political turmoil surrounding Imamoglu's arrest on alleged corruption and terrorism charges, which many view as a politically motivated attack. The mayor's jailing has fueled mass protests across Turkey, with recent estimates indicating over 1,300 detentions, including several journalists caught in the government's extensive crackdown.
“We will continue to report impartially and fairly on events in Turkey,” Turness added, underscoring the broadcaster’s commitment to freedom of the press despite such alarming developments. Mark Lowen, who previously lived in Turkey for five years, described his deportation as “distressing” and insisted on the importance of press freedom in a democracy.
The Turkish government has yet to disclose the official reasons for Lowen's deportation, and local authorities have not responded to inquiries regarding the treatment of journalists amid the ongoing protests.
Deborah Turness, the CEO of BBC News, expressed deep concern over the incident, condemning it as a violation of journalistic freedom. She stated, "No journalist should face this kind of treatment simply for doing their job." Lowen's reporting focused on the political turmoil surrounding Imamoglu's arrest on alleged corruption and terrorism charges, which many view as a politically motivated attack. The mayor's jailing has fueled mass protests across Turkey, with recent estimates indicating over 1,300 detentions, including several journalists caught in the government's extensive crackdown.
“We will continue to report impartially and fairly on events in Turkey,” Turness added, underscoring the broadcaster’s commitment to freedom of the press despite such alarming developments. Mark Lowen, who previously lived in Turkey for five years, described his deportation as “distressing” and insisted on the importance of press freedom in a democracy.
The Turkish government has yet to disclose the official reasons for Lowen's deportation, and local authorities have not responded to inquiries regarding the treatment of journalists amid the ongoing protests.
