Close Menu
News JournosNews Journos
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
Editors Picks

Trump Threatens to Withdraw Musk Subsidies Amid Criticism of Major Budget Bill

July 1, 2025

Elections Serve as a Referendum on Trump and Musk

April 1, 2025

Iran Launches Missile Attack on U.S. Military Base in Qatar

June 23, 2025

Trump Team Confronts Legal Ruling That May Threaten Mental Health Coverage

May 9, 2025

Tesla Superchargers Arson Incident in Massachusetts, Suspect Still at Large

March 4, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Latest Headlines:
  • Tips for Safeguarding Personal Data from Scams During Home Downsizing
  • China Showcases Military Weapons at Parade Attended by Xi Jinping, Putin, and Kim Jong Un
  • Putin and Xi Recorded Discussing Organ Transplants and Immortality
  • Germany’s Foreign Minister Seeks India’s Support for Ukraine Peace Talks with Russia
  • Public Prosecutor Murdered in Istanbul
  • Salesforce Reports Q2 Earnings for 2026
  • Appeals Court Blocks Trump’s Deportation of Venezuelan Migrants, Citing Lack of “Invasion”
  • Over 1,000 HHS Staff Urge Trump to Dismiss RFK Jr. for Health Risks
  • Study Reveals Impact of AI on Employment Across Various Sectors
  • Katie Lowes Discusses Character Secrets and Fan Reactions in “The Hunting Wives”
  • Poll Reveals Americans’ Concerns Over “Uncertain” Economy Amidst Slight Rating Decline
  • Historic Funicular Derails in Lisbon, Resulting in 15 Fatalities
  • Italian Painting Looted by Nazis Recovered in Argentina After Real Estate Listing Discovery
  • Alphabet Shares Rise as Google Dodges Antitrust Breakup Threat
  • After-Hours Stock Movers: AEO, CRM, AI, GTLB
  • Netflix Introduces Custom Clip Sharing Feature for Mobile Users
  • Self-Driving Trucks Move Closer to Reality in PlusAI Testing
  • China to Hold Major Military Parade for Victory Day on Wednesday
  • Trump Comments on Alabama’s Surprising College Football Upset
  • Europe and US Coalition Prepared to Provide Security Guarantees for Ukraine
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
News JournosNews Journos
Subscribe
Thursday, September 4
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
News JournosNews Journos
You are here: News Journos » Turkey Reports » Erdoğan’s Vendetta Goes Global: President Brands Journalist a Spy, Dündar Issues Defiant Ultimatum
Erdoğan's Vendetta Goes Global: President Brands Journalist a Spy, Dündar Issues Defiant Ultimatum

Erdoğan’s Vendetta Goes Global: President Brands Journalist a Spy, Dündar Issues Defiant Ultimatum

News EditorBy News EditorSeptember 29, 2018 Turkey Reports 3 Mins Read

In a staggering display of autocratic overreach on foreign soil, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used a state visit to Germany to personally defame one of Turkey’s most celebrated journalists, Can Dündar, labeling him a “convicted spy” before the world’s press. But from his exile in Berlin, Dündar refused to be silenced, issuing a powerful ultimatum that laid bare the president’s lies: “Prove I am a spy, and I will quit my profession forever.”

The dramatic confrontation unfolded during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Erdoğan, hoping to use the international stage to legitimize his domestic war on the press, demanded the extradition of Dündar, painting him as a dangerous criminal. It was a brazen attempt to export his regime of fear, turning a diplomatic mission into a personal vendetta.

What Erdoğan conveniently failed to mention is the “crime” for which Dündar is being relentlessly persecuted: practicing journalism. As the former editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet newspaper, Dündar published irrefutable video and photographic evidence—evidence captured by the state’s own gendarmerie—of Turkey’s intelligence agency (MİT) illegally shipping weapons to jihadist groups in Syria.

Dündar did not commit espionage; he exposed it. He did not betray the state; he revealed a crime being committed in its name. His work was a public service of the highest order, upholding a journalist’s duty to inform the people and hold power to account.

In his powerful rebuttal, Dündar eviscerated Erdoğan’s claims. “The people who should stand trial are not the journalists,” he declared, “but those who conducted this [illegal arms] operation.” He correctly pointed out that Erdoğan was lying about his conviction status, a deliberate blurring of legal lines to mislead the public. At that moment, it was not the journalist who stood accused, but the president whose credibility was on trial—and found wanting.

Erdoğan’s obsession with Can Dündar stems from a simple fact: he cannot forgive being caught. The MİT trucks story was a profound embarrassment that exposed the government’s duplicity in the Syrian conflict. Unable to refute the story, the regime chose to destroy the messenger. This is the classic playbook of authoritarianism: when the facts are against you, you imprison the fact-finders.

Merkel’s quiet disagreement at the press conference highlighted the growing chasm between Turkey and the democratic world. But the real showdown was between a president armed with the full power of the state and a journalist armed with only the truth. Dündar’s challenge to Erdoğan was more than a personal defense; it was a defense of journalism itself. It was a defiant declaration that even in the darkest of times, there are those who will not bow to slander and who will risk everything for the truth.

Authoritarianism Can Dundar Espionage Germany MİT Trucks Press Freedom Recep Tayyip Erdogan Slander Turkey
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link Bluesky
News Editor
  • Website

As the News Editor at News Journos, I am dedicated to curating and delivering the latest and most impactful stories across business, finance, politics, technology, and global affairs. With a commitment to journalistic integrity, we provide breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert insights to keep our readers informed in an ever-changing world. News Journos is your go-to independent news source, ensuring fast, accurate, and reliable reporting on the topics that matter most.

Keep Reading

Turkey Reports

Public Prosecutor Murdered in Istanbul

6 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Syrian Kurds Consider Independence Amidst Damascus’ Pushback on Decentralization

6 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Bar Associations Criticize CHP’s Canceled Congress

6 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Humanity Faces Significant Losses, Says Spokesperson

6 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Assembly Discusses Olive Grove; Tanal’s Brief Action Sparks Varank’s Controversial Remarks

5 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Mothers Reflect on PKK Weapon-Burning Ceremony: A Call for Peace

7 Mins Read
Journalism Under Siege
Editors Picks

Texas Legislates Creation of State-Specific Cryptocurrency Similar to DOGE

April 24, 2025

IRS Chief Counsel Demoted, Replaced by Supporter of DOGE

March 15, 2025

Thousands Voluntarily Depart as Trump Encourages Self-Deportation

April 10, 2025

Tesla Showroom in Texas Attacked with Incendiary Devices, Police Report

March 25, 2025

Senate Republicans Advance Trump Agenda in Congress

March 7, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Vimeo WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

News

  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Money Watch

Journos

  • Top Stories
  • Turkey Reports
  • Health
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Entertainment

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Get In Touch
  • Our Authors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Accessibility

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

© 2025 The News Journos. Designed by The News Journos.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Ad Blocker Enabled!
Ad Blocker Enabled!
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.
Go to mobile version