News
February 8, 2023 | 6:00 p.m.
Turkey cracked down on social media on Wednesday, just two days after being devastated by an earthquake – censoring Twitter and even arresting online critics in a bid to calm critics of its relief response, according to reports.
Several Internet service providers in the country have refused access to Twitter to their customers, according to netblocksa global internet monitor based in London.
The move to shield their citizens from criticism of their government’s handling of the response to the deadly earthquake – which has already claimed at least 11,000 lives – could have fatal consequences as residents continue to rely on social media to organize and learn about relief and rescue work.
People trapped under rubble but still able to access their phones are using Twitter to share their location with first responders and call for help, journalist for The Economist tweeted.
Turkish police also detained at least 18 people and arrested at least five citizens for posting “provocative messages”, Semafor reported.
Prosecutors also began investigating two journalists for saying the government’s response to the quake was insufficient, according to Balkan Insight.
“Turkish authorities have decided to throttle and limit access to the Twitter platform from Turkey while rescue efforts continue after the major earthquake,” tweeted Yaman Akdeniz, Turkish cyber rights activist. “Needless to say, it is vital to keep all communication channels open during this crucial time. »
President Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged on Wednesday there had been problems with disaster relief after many parts of the country were hit by the powerful 7.8 magnitude quake and his aftershocks said the government was slow to reach them.
“This is the moment of unity, of solidarity. At a time like this, I cannot stand people running negative campaigns for political interests,” said Erdogan, who is seeking re-election in May.
The strongman also suggested there was no way to prepare for a disaster of this magnitude and encouraged the media not to acknowledge the “provocateurs”.
Erdogan said on Tuesday he would not allow “disinformation” about the earthquake to spread online, but it’s unclear what his definition of the word is.
Turkish citizens said rescuers were ill-equipped to save people from the rubble, sometimes hearing the cries of those trapped under a collapsed building but lacking the tools to rescue them.
“Where is the state? Where have they been for two days? We beg them. Let’s do it, we can get them out,” Sabiha Alinak said near the ruins of a building her family was trapped under.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who leads Turkey’s main opposition party, said he refused to “look at what is happening above politics and align himself with the ruling party.”
“This collapse is exactly the result of a policy of systematic profiteering,” he said. “If there is anyone responsible for this process, it is Erdogan. It is this ruling party that has not prepared the country for an earthquake for 20 years.
With post wires
