The Turkish Government Takes Control Of Major Newspaper

Riot police officers walk by the headquarters of Zaman newspaper in Istanbul, Sunday, March 6, 2016. The European Union is facing increasing pressure to speak out against the erosion of media freedom in Turkey following the takeover of the country’s largest-circulation newspaper, but few expect it to take a bold stance toward Ankara while trying to assure its help in dealing with the migration crisis. Police used tear gas and water cannons for a second day running on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters who gathered outside the headquarters of Zaman newspaper — now surrounded by police fences.
Riot police officers walk by the headquarters of Zaman newspaper in Istanbul, Sunday, March 6, 2016. The European Union is facing increasing pressure to speak out against the erosion of media freedom in Turkey following the takeover of the country's largest-circulation newspaper, but few expect it to take a bold stance toward Ankara while trying to assure its help in dealing with the migration crisis. Police used tear gas and water cannons for a second day running on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters who gathered outside the headquarters of Zaman newspaper — now surrounded by police fences. Emrah Gurel / AP Photo
Riot police officers walk by the headquarters of Zaman newspaper in Istanbul, Sunday, March 6, 2016. The European Union is facing increasing pressure to speak out against the erosion of media freedom in Turkey following the takeover of the country’s largest-circulation newspaper, but few expect it to take a bold stance toward Ankara while trying to assure its help in dealing with the migration crisis. Police used tear gas and water cannons for a second day running on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters who gathered outside the headquarters of Zaman newspaper — now surrounded by police fences.
Riot police officers walk by the headquarters of Zaman newspaper in Istanbul, Sunday, March 6, 2016. The European Union is facing increasing pressure to speak out against the erosion of media freedom in Turkey following the takeover of the country's largest-circulation newspaper, but few expect it to take a bold stance toward Ankara while trying to assure its help in dealing with the migration crisis. Police used tear gas and water cannons for a second day running on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters who gathered outside the headquarters of Zaman newspaper — now surrounded by police fences. Emrah Gurel / AP Photo

The Turkish Government Takes Control Of Major Newspaper

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Earlier this week, police raided the Istanbul offices of the Turkish newspaper Zaman. The raid followed a court decision, last week, which placed the paper (an opposition paper to the current government) under state control. Many now accuse the publication of running pro-government propaganda stories. 

Ihan Tanir, a Turkish journalist based in Washington D.C., joined us to tell us what’s been happening.