Turkey revokes press cards of 685 journalists over 'national security' since botched coup

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay has said that the press cards of 685 journalists were canceled over "national security." "Press cards of 685 press members who were determined to be working for or in contact with media outlets that were determined to be members of or in contact with groups that pose threats against national security were canceled in the process following the July 15 treacherous coup attempt," he said.

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Press cards of 685 journalists were revoked over "national security" since the 2016 attempted takeover, Vice President Fuat Oktay has said.

"Press cards of 685 press members who were determined to be working for or in contact with media outlets that were determined to be members of or in contact with groups that pose threats against national security were canceled as per the related regulations in the process following the July 15 treacherous coup attempt," Oktay said in parliament in response to a question.

Oktay also said that all press cards need to be updated due to the closure of Directorate General of Press and Information and the establishment of the Directorate of Communications, adding that 343 press cards were given to foreign journalists based in Turkey as of 2019.