ANKARA (AA) - Turkish academics reacted to international media over Taksim protests as they broadcast live the protests in Turkey's Istanbul for long hours creating wrong perceptions as if the life in Turkey had been completely destroyed.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Prof. Dr. Zakir Avsar from Gazi University said it was the wrong attitudes of traditional media in Turkey which caused the profound interest of international media in Taksim protests.
Avsar said Turkish media could not inform the people on Taksim protests on time due to self-censorship and thus leading to disinformation on social media.
"There is an extraordinary interest here in Taksim protest beyond news reporting," said Avsar "which shows the attitude against Turkey's stability."
Avsar expressed his wish for international media to handle the issues objectively and correctly.
Touching on the G-8 protests in London, Avsar said, "It is impossible to broadcast anything that is not complying with England's internal or external benefits" suggesting Turkey to follow suit.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akif Okur from Gazi University said "We can see that certain world wide known media corporations turn their broadcasting policy into an anti-Turkey campaign."
Evaluating on EU's comments on Taksim protests, Okur said "If we have a look at the statements of EU, we can clearly see that those countries who are against Turley's membership in EU are making use of Taksim protests to support their own arguments."
Okur also pointed out there might be some efforts of screening the big scandals around the world by exaggerating Taksim protests in Turkey.
"It is unacceptable for the international media to prevent people from getting information on G-8 protests while turning the protests in Taksim into a smear campaign" said Okur criticising the double standards of international media.
Focusing on the same issue, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Seker said, "Western world have always had double standards in reporting the events in the eastern world including Turkey. They exaggerate the tiny events in the east while overshadowing the similar problems in their own countries."
Seker stated the western world were more interested in Turkey since Turkey was growing each day being a model country in the region, as well as a candidate for EU membership.
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