Message from senior journalist Hıfzı Topuz: Each of them is a hero

Hilal Köse
 
The most senior figure in the world of Turkish journalism, 94-year-old journalist and writer Hıfzı Topuz, has stated that Cumhuriyet publishing freely was more than some people could tolerate. Topuz had the following to say in his message for our remanded columnists and managers on the 150^th day: ‘They are all people who are fighting against FETO. They are people I know intimately and love. I am at their side. I want them to come out immediately. These friends of ours will most probably walk out as heroes tomorrow and will have unassailable positions in our press history. Today they are suffering. They will be included on the list of heroes. I am jealous of them.’
- How did you react to the operation against our paper?
I was stunned. I said they were looking for an excuse to close Cumhuriyet. I said they would appoint a curator to run Cumhuriyet. I was furious. They have been unable to do that, but the guys have been inside for five months. Is Turhan a terrorist? Are Güray and Musa part of FETO? Cumhuriyet was publishing freely without pressure from big business. This was more than they could tolerate. And it became a target. I greet Cumhuriyet’s resistance with joy and admiration. There were times when Cumhuriyet suffered for the Republic it took its name from. We have returned to those days. I consider this to be temporary. I believe one hundred per cent that freedoms will be won. I believe one hundred per cent that dictatorial regimes will be toppled. Who remains of the old dictators? We have seen it all. They have all gone. Time wipes them out. You put water in raki and, a while later, it turns white. The duress will turn into other things a while later. Is this not the social law?
Direct sentencing
- What do you say about the detention that has now lasted five months?
The colleagues being detained makes you rebel. It is very upsetting. I call this direct sentencing. Sentencing without a court decision. There is no court, no decision, but the colleagues have been inside for five months. They still do not know what they are charged with, do they? If they knew the charges, they would defend themselves. All over the world, the law rejects direct sentencing. Direct sentencing is contrary to human rights. Especially when it comes to communication rights. You know, I strove to spread free communications around the world for 25 years at UNESCO. The free flow of ideas is both the right of media workers and the right of people. Depriving journalists of their rights amounts to depriving citizens of the right to obtain news. People all over the world have reached awareness of this. It is by now beyond debate in Europe.
- It is said that journalism has not been under pressure to this extent before now. Do you agree with this view?
Interference with the free press is not new in Turkey. But, today the situation is different. Today the media is not independent. The media has become the tool of large capital. Business groups have bought the media. The government pressurises the bosses and the bosses pressurise the newspaper owners. Freedoms have gradually been reined in. Most of the media is at the beck and call of the regime. At one time, journalists fought battles by themselves. We are not in that position now. International journalism organisations have to assist. This is most distressing.
Regimes are toppled and newspapers are not.
- What do you recommend to young colleagues in the profession?
What happens in the end? Regimes are toppled and newspapers are not. We have seen them all toppled, including Kenan Evren. But journalists remain on their feet. You need to stick in, resist, stand your ground and not give way. You should not give up on the profession. Does a person not have to take stock of all these risks when choosing this profession? This job is not easy. You will risk unemployment and imprisonment. You will fight in the face of all this. You will not give up and you will certainly not compromise. You will not sell out. Your will hold your head high. You will scream out. If I had the chance to start out again, I would be a journalist once more.
The only paper I read
- What have you to say about the time when your path crossed with Cumhuriyet newspaper?
Nadir Nadi came to Paris in 1962. We met. I was going to go to Congo. He said, ‘Write for us from there.’ I went to other places after Congo and continued to send in articles for years. Everyone considered me to be a Cumhuriyet writer. Cumhuriyet placed me in its team of writers and I was very happy. There are still those who say, ‘I used to read your articles in Cumhuriyet.’ Then came the parting of ways. But the paper is the only paper I read. It is the paper that has the most honest reporting, too. I know the difficult conditions under which you are working. Orhan Erinç, Turhan Günay, Ali Sirmen ... I have many friends.
The majority do not believe it
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has made some very harsh accusations about the remanded journalists.
I do not take them seriously, and I am not of the opinion that the majority believe these words. Apart from those who believe blindly. People open their eyes but do not raise their voices. They remain silent. They are afraid. I make frequent speeches in various places. People approve with their heads and eyes but do not get up and speak. They have been cowed into submission. This even applies to the deans of communications faculties. There remains no opportunity to raise your voice.
- What is the thing that dismays you the most in this period?
It has been gradual. Events came one after the other. We said the people would not tolerate it and opposition would come. It didn’t happen. With no opposition coming from people, the oppression was stepped up. I am in front of the television until noon. I do not usually watch the discussions; I am fed up with hearing the same people. Rage is destructive. I try not to be affected. I read the subtitles and I look at the foreign press. All stations are the same. A monotonous choir. The same headlines. This would appear to be how oppressive regimes manifest themselves. These are its signs. They all emit the same sound and they all display the same silence. They operate in a conscious, organised manner. I have never at any time been on the side of coups. I have been on the side of free elections. But to what extent are elections free? Can people vote without fear?