site.btaJournalists in Turkiye Are Subject to Low Pay, Political Pressure and Mobbing, Survey Finds

The majority of journalists in Turkiye receive very low pay for their work, work more than 45 hours a week and cannot use all their leave. Only 28.6 % receive extra pay for overtime work, according to a survey released by the Journalists Union of Turkiye (TGS). 

The study, carried out with the support of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), includes a survey of Turkish media professionals.

According to the results of the survey, more than half of Turkish journalists (54.8 %) indicated that the biggest problem for them is political pressure. This is followed by financial problems (37.1 %), working conditions (29 %), employer pressure (24.7 %).

One of the survey's findings is that women journalists, especially those under 35, are more subject to censorship than men.

A total of 42.8% of the respondents said they were subject to censoring.

Censorship is usually implemented in the form of non-publication, removal or alteration of information, of copyright material, suspension of broadcasts, etc.

The reasons for censorship are mostly political or imposed by the employer, the survey shows.

Self-censorship is also a problem. 25.3% of respondents indicated that they frequently or constantly apply self-censorship. At the same time, however, 36.9% say there is no self-censorship.

A quarter of journalists said they wanted to change their profession.

Among the reasons for this is workplace mobbing, which is a form of psychological violence. Women journalists, young journalists and journalists in large cities are more exposed to mobbing than other groups.

Turkish journalists also report that they are subjected to prosecution for articles and reports they have written, blocked from accessing the news, physically abused and have their equipment and materials confiscated.