VOA慢速英语2014 土耳其政府否认突袭反对派媒体_

 

AS IT IS 2014-12-21 Turkey Rejects Criticism of Raids on Opposition¹ Media 土耳其政府否认突袭反对派媒体_

The Turkish government recently ordered raids on media with ties to its opponents. Now the government is rejecting criticism at home and from overseas for the actions.

Turkish officials say recent arrests of more than 20 journalists were made in connection with a plot against the government. But the European Union says Turkey is increasingly becoming more authoritarian². It said the media raids were in conflict with European values. 

Protesters gathered earlier this week outside the police headquarters in Istanbul. They carried signs condemning³ police raids on the Zaman newspaper and the Samanyolu television station. Turkish police arrested top reporters and editors.

The European Union said the raids were “incompatible with the freedom of media.” Individual nations also expressed dismay at the Turkish actions. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the actions are, in his words, “more than just worrying.” An American State Department official said media freedom, the process of law and judicial⁴ independence are important elements in every healthy democracy. She said the United States is watching events closely.

But on television, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted angrily to the criticism. He said the 28-nation EU should “mind its own business.” He also said Turkey does not care what European officials thinks of its decisions.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini said Mr. Erdogan’s reaction surprised her. She said her discussions with him last week appeared to be constructive⁵. The goal of the talks was to give new energy to Turkey’s longtime request to join the EU.                                  

Semih Idiz writes about diplomacy⁶ for Turkey’s Taraf newspaper and the Al Monitor Website.  He says the president’s reaction shows the limited influence the EU now has over Turkey.

“The rather reluctant position that some countries have had over the past 10 years towards Turkey’s membership, with some just openly blocking its path, I think that has led to this notion no matter what Turkey does, its bid will never move anywhere else.”

Mr. Erdogan blames followers⁷ of Islamic clergyman Fethullah Gulen for investigations⁸ launched last December. He says these followers work within the Turkish judiciary and police force. The investigations linked members of the Erdogan family and government ministers to corrupt⁹ activities. 

Last year, Turkey was criticized for using excessive force to break up huge anti-government protests. In recent months, suspected opponents in the police force have been targeted. But the government action on Sunday represents the first major operation against opposition media.                   

 Mustafa Yesil is chairman of the Journalists and Writers Foundation. He noted¹⁰ that many millions of people were expressing themselves through these media. He said they are the only anti-government media outlets¹¹.

Critics say Turkey has had a poor record on media freedoms for a long time. A spokesman for the group Reporters without Borders said Turkey occupies 154th place out of 180 worldwide for press freedom. 

Words in This Story

authoritarian - adj. expecting or requiring people to obey rules or laws; not allowing personal freeman

dismay - n. a strong feeling of being worried, disappointed or upset; helpful to someone instead of upsetting or negative

constructive – adj. helping¹² to develop or improve something;

excessive - adj. going beyond what is usual, normal or proper

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 authoritarian   

n./adj.专制(的)，专制主义者，独裁主义者

参考例句：

• Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies.各国外交官怀疑他有着独裁主义倾向。
• The authoritarian policy wasn't proved to be a success.独裁主义的政策证明并不成功。

3 condemning   

v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的现在分词 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地

参考例句：

• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。
• I concur with the speaker in condemning what has been done. 我同意发言者对所做的事加以谴责。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

4 judicial   

adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的

参考例句：

• He is a man with a judicial mind.他是个公正的人。
• Tom takes judicial proceedings against his father.汤姆对他的父亲正式提出诉讼。

5 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

6 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

7 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

8 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

9 corrupt   

v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的

参考例句：

• The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。
• This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。

10 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

11 outlets   

n.出口( outlet的名词复数 )；经销店；插座；廉价经销店

参考例句：

• The dumping of foreign cotton blocked outlets for locally grown cotton. 外国棉花的倾销阻滞了当地生产的棉花的销路。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They must find outlets for their products. 他们必须为自己的产品寻找出路。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

12 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。