The Authors Guild and PEN America have condemned the actions of the Turkish government after the detaining of 61 journalists and the shuttering of 131 media organizations—including 29 publishing houses—in the wake of the attempted coup on July 15.
The two organizations are asking members to stand with them in demanding that the Turkish government cease its attacks on freedom of expression. PEN is doing so through its own petition and the Authors Guild through a solidarity campaign led by the International Federation of Journalism.
"President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is attempting to justify these acts through a so-called “state of emergency,” which allows the government to act without Parliamentary approval and abruptly silence dissent," PEN executive editor Suzanne Nossel wrote in a letter to PEN members. "Please, stand with PEN America and our partners to demand that the Turkish government immediately end its attack on academics, journalists, and others targeted for their words alone."
"The Authors Guild supports freedom of speech as a fundamental part of our mission," a statement from the Guild read. "We hope that you will join us in supporting the principles that these journalists are suffering for."
