HARD PRESSED

During flights and in VIP lounges, Turkish Airlines unfortunately refuses to distribute some newspapers of the opposition media. This has been going on for some time and recently it has become more obvious and widespread, causing increasing complaints from customers.

These “banned” papers, such as Sozcu (one of the larger circulation papers), Zaman, and leading leftist papers such as Yurt and Bir Gun, happen to be critical of the present Erdogan government. Cumhuriyet, a very old, leading leftist paper, is offered but in very limited number. However, pro-government Islamic press is abundant.

The same is true of the TV channels in the business class and elite-card lounges, which only broadcast the government channels. When questioned, the information desk says: “It is outside our control, no remote controls are given.” Soon it might be The Economist or the Financial Times in line, if critical… Sad! Such double standards of a worldwide carrier.