Top tips for working as a journalist in Turkey

12 May 2016 - RPS Partnership

There are various security threats for international journalists working in Turkey right now and they all have different levels of seriousness depending on what you are doing and where you are going. RPS is bringing you this updated information for journalists working in Turkey right now or planning to work there.  Contact us for more information on [email protected] or to attend one of our training programmes, from hostile environment training to first aid training.

This information comes from our colleagues who have been living and working in Turkey for 3 years. We are bringing it to you in bullet point view to keep it simple to follow.

The main security threats for foreign journalists is broadly coming from the following three areas:

• Internal problems concerning politics and there seems to be a thought that there is an international conspiracy to dislike Turkey.
• PKK
• Isil

Working as the media in Turkey

There are some simple rules

• Don’t get caught in any local and national dynamics
• Play their rules!
• Ensure that you have press accreditation – know what the repercussions are if you don’t
• It is vital that a minimum of one person on a team has this accreditation; especially if you are the camera

Working in Diyarbakir

You must have press accreditation
In the border area – you should treat these areas as hostile and check in frequently with your editor. It is difficult to know where you are, if you are arrested and journalists often disappear. Think about using tracking software on our phones with a panic button.

If arrested

If arrested, journalists are moved often and the key is to find out which prison you are being held in.

You need to get legal aid quickly, so that everyone can start to get you out. If you are arrested, do not sign anything

Legal Aid

You will need two Turkish lawyers; the first lawyer must be quickly appointed and local to the area where you or your journalist has disappeared. The second lawyer should be instructed in Ankara to lobby at a higher level and liaise with the local lawyer.

At present on average it is taking up to a week to get a foreign journalist released from jail. The budget for 2 lawyers for 1 week is around 10,000 to 15,000 euros.

If a foreign journalists is arrested from a country with powerful political influence with Turkey, the time they are held may be less BUT their fixer is the problem. You need to remember that you may be their only help and chance of getting released.

If your fixer is Syrian – with residency it may be easier to get them out of jail.
If they are Syrian and have no residency the Turkish police may not release them at all.

French/German/Norwegian – if they are arrested on terror charges, this may led to being flagged on the Interpol computer system and may lead to difficulties travelling around Nato countries.

There is an armed group operating in Gaziantep targeting locals not internationals. Antakya has not yet had any credible threat from IS, whereas Gaziantap has had several warnings that journalists are being targeted by IS. There is some evidence to say that locals being targeted over a long time and may well lead to journalists also being caught up and targeted. Journalists are also being targeted at hotels.

Your story in Turkey

Be aware that Turkey reads all articles about Turkey, so be aware of that, when you are reporting. The Turkish government sees the PKK and the YPG as one organisation and not separate. There is a high level of scrutiny of foreign media and pro PKK pieces are frowned upon. Don’t forget to ask the government for their comment, as it may well keep them onside.

Digital security in Turkey

• Encrypt all data
• Turn off phones in airports, as they sometimes sweep for IMEI numbers

The kidnap threat

There are still kidnappings on the northern border going into Syria. There has been some evidence of the selling of hostages and Al-Nusra have some hostages, which they are happy to sell to IS.

Thoughts on the areas of Turkey

Idlib province is very dangerous.  It is now dangerous to cross at At Bab al Hawa to the west and there is now no real responsible way to get into north or Idlib.
It is still possible from Iraq and the Kurdish side, but this will involve documentation from the Peschmerga or YPG.

There is an ongoing civil war, and the YPG may believe they can achieve in Turkey the same as they achieved in Syria

The near future

Our man on the ground says “expect things to hot up over the summer.  He is predicting bombing campaigns where the blame is either YPG/PKK or Isil. Low level surveillance in the streets may continue with Turkish citizens reporting you to the authorities.
Someone on the street reports you to a bad cop (who doesn’t recognise accreditation), and then can then hold you for a long time without charge and without being able to contact anyone.

Be careful of using Kurdish fixers who do not have accreditation, as this may well cause you problems as the media.

Contact us for more informaton about working in Turkey on [email protected] and other training courses and programmes that we offer.

Photo: www.aegeegoldentimes.eu