Turkey blocks access to U.S., Voice of America, Deutsche Welle

Turkey blocks access to Deutsche Welle, Voice of America and German broadcaster Deutsche Welle for not getting licenses - official ANKARA Reuters said on Thursday that Turkey's RTUK media watchdog has blocked access to U.S.-based Voice of America and German broadcaster Deutsche Welle for not applying for licenses it requests.

In February, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America VOA said they would not apply for licences in Turkey as requested by RTUK under the country's media regulation law, which critics say aims to increase censorship.

Ilhan Tasci, a RTUK board member from the main opposition CHP, said on Twitter that access to Deutsche Welle's Turkish-language service, DW Turkce and VOA had been blocked by a court decision.

Tasci said access to DW Turkce and Voice of America, which did not apply for licenses, has been blocked by the Ankara Criminal Court of Peace at the request of the RTUK board.

He added.

The vast majority of Turkey's mainstream media outlets are seen as close to the government, with coverage favouring President Tayyip Erdogan and his allies. Turks are increasingly turning to alternative outlets, some foreign-owned, and social media for news.

RTUK, whose policymaking board is dominated by Erdogan's AK party and its allies, fines broadcasters that are critical of the government.

The debate on a bill on media laws dubbed censorship bill by critics was postponed until parliament reopens in autumn, an AKP deputy, Mahir Unal, said this week.

Turkey is one of the top jailers of journalists in the world and has been criticised by Western allies and rights groups over its human rights record. They accused the Erdogan government of using a failed military coup in 2016 as a pretext to muzzle dissent.

The government denies that it takes measures because of the gravity of the threats that Turkey faces.