US Sees Worrisome Trend in Turkey as Authorities Suppress Independent Media

Washington is worried Turkey slams independent media and deports foreign journalists out of the country.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States is beginning to notice a troubling trend in Turkey as the country’s authorities prevent independent journalists to carry out their duties, US Department of State spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday.

"Regrettably, we could probably have his discussion and have this back and forth almost every day," Kirby stated in a daily briefing. "And regrettably, this <…> discussion could involve countries like Turkey <…> What we are starting to see is a worrisome trend here in terms of not allowing independent media to do their jobs."

The United State has seen the reports of Russian and German journalists banned from entering Turkey, and remains concerned over the media freedom in the country, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

"We’ve just seen reports on this ourselves," Kirby said of Sputnik bureau chief being denied entry to Turkey. Asked about the incident with a German reporter who was also recently banned entering Turkey, the spokesperson stated, "I’ve seen that press report too."

"We have been nothing but clear about our broad concerns about media freedom in Turkey in particular," Kirby stressed.