03 October 2014

Turkish President Erdogan tells conference: 'I am increasingly against the internet every day'

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defended his government’s efforts to control online speech, telling a press freedom conference: “I am increasingly against the Internet every day.”

Local newspapers and major publications such as The New York Times and CNN International were among those slammed by officials, according to the CPJ.

"Media should never have been given the liberty to insult," Mr Erdogan was quoted as saying during the 90-minute meeting.

He also expressed concern that criminal and terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State go online to recruit followers, saying he is "increasingly against" the internet. [The Independent] Read more