Tightening the grip: Turkey's media takeover

We explore the government's clampdown on critical media; plus, we talk to Can Dundar, a journalist released from jail.


In the latest crackdown on Turkey's media, authorities this week raided and seized control of the largest daily newspaper: Zaman, its sister publication, Today's Zaman, and the Cihan news agency.

The takeover, which was backed by the country's courts, was the latest blow in a long-running and deeply personal saga between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fethullah Gulen.

Gulen, a 74-year-old Islamic leader based in the US, has been a vocal critic and political opponent of Erdogan and is closely affiliated with the anti-Erdogan Zaman newspaper.

Erdogan has repeatedly accused Gulen of trying to overthrow the government, but Gulen has denied the allegations.