back to article Twitter, Facebook are 'a MENACE to society', says Turkey's PM

Turkey's Prime Minister has labelled Twitter and other social networks as "the worst menace to society" following days of unrest in the country. Recep Tayyip Erdogan's comments came after tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Istanbul to protest against government plans to demolish a public park to build a …

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  1. Khaptain Silver badge

    "the worst menace to society"

    Of course it is a menace , the last thing that he wants is for the people to remain together and actually communicate. From what I have understood this guy is a radical who is extremely unpopular with the secular Turks.

    Obviously he belongs to the conquer and divide group of dictators leaders.

    He was voted in democratically so it is not easy to take a position either way.

    1. Christoph
      Unhappy

      Re: "the worst menace to society"

      The situation in Turkey is apparently rather more complicated

      1. Khaptain Silver badge

        Re: "the worst menace to society"

        That article is indeed interesting and well written.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: "the worst menace to society"

          The article forgets a few things - perhaps these, largely secular, protesters realize that since Erdogan has deliberately weakened the army, the likely hood of another military coup is also lessened, so they feel the need to take their grievances outside for themselves.

          Turkeys major cities are not lacking shopping malls in any way shape or form – this square is not only a decent green-space which people enjoy using, but, the way the government sees it, it is a place for people to meet, en-mass, and vocalize their feelings. That is exactly why the government wants to get rid of it.

          About a year ago during several chats with regular Turkish folk on the BBC World Service, it was clearly stated that increasingly one had to 'adopt' Islam in order to have at least a chance of being successful in job interviews. IIRC the broadcasts were on the subject of Turkey joining Europe.

          'Menace to society' – especially when that society is becoming more and more theocratic, yes, in that case free speech is a real menace to religious dogma. But that's not the case in a secular society where religion of all kinds tolerate each others reason d'etre and atheism is not seen as a threat but just another way of describing an individuals need, or lack thereof, for spiritualism.

          'Menace to society' – yes, when you (the government) have expended time/money on blocking out internet content and access that does not conform your political diktat.

          Let us not forget the sincerest actions of many young secular Egyptians who only wished for a broader, more liberal, and all-encompassing state for their children to live in. Pretty much the same is going on in Turkey right now and I wish them all the luck they need to change things there – there are elections next year, that is going to be an interesting spectacle.

          Ok, Erdogan got a majority vote, (twice?) but that should not give him the right eradicate opposition. His party will probably cave in internally as politicians re-align themselves any way.

          Democracy does not need religion in any way shape or form. Separate state from religion globally and most of the worlds problems are solved. Democracy needs pluralism, tolerance and acceptance. Democracy needs education and involvement and to encourage participation in debate. Talking is better than rocks and tear gas – always.

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  3. Gordon Pryra

    People In Glass Houses

    Following the riots in the UK a few months ago they legislated to allow them to being down social sites.

    So how is this guy any different to the self serving fuckers in charge of our country?

    1. g e
      Holmes

      The difference is...

      Turkey

      You can't malign or incite harm to him or his religion-of-the-day online

      UK

      You can't malign or incite harm to financial interests or politicians' financial interests online

      Subtle, but the difference is there ;o)

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: People In Glass Houses

      There is none. England wasn't far off using water cannon as well, but the English baulked at that being on their own streets. At least Turkey isn't (yet) firing live rounds into the protesters, like some other countries have. Countries who's police are trained by the UK.

      We like to sit and pontificate from the side-lines, but rest assured; if there was the same level of revolt here our Political Class would not hesitate to crush public opinion and blackout the networks just like the Turks.

      And just like the other human rights abusers (Saudi, Bahrain, China etc) once the money starts talking, no political leader will give two shits about the current happenings. Certainly not the shower in Westminster. Turkey will face no censure, no condemnation and her people will receive no support.

      1. phuzz Silver badge
        Holmes

        Re: People In Glass Houses

        And who sold them the bullets, CS gas etc.?

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: People In Glass Houses

          The UK was almost certainly involved. They have a glorious history for training and arming the oppressors of democracy. Usually because it's the oppressors who have the money/oil/minerals that they care about.

          People are people, shoot a few thousand and they can breed again pretty quick.

          But oil? Now, that's important.

  4. Tony Paulazzo
    Alien

    Eat the...

    Now we have a menace that is called Twitter," Erdogan said. "The best examples of lies can be found there. To me, social media is the worst menace to society.

    As others have noted when he says 'society' he actually means despots, politicians, Hollywood & bankers.

    Eat the rich!

  5. JP19

    Give the guy a break

    He is probably right - just for the wrong reasons :)

  6. VaalDonkie
    Trollface

    Ironic

    Ironically enough, Turkey is itself a great menace to European society.

  7. MACWINLINO
    Megaphone

    When will they learn

    Rather use these social networking services to show their view point. Instead blaming Twitter and Facebook proves the point of the protesters far more than that of the government.

    1. FutureShock999
      Megaphone

      Re: When will they learn

      But they have no viewpoint that they can publicly admit to - selling off one of the last public parks in the city to developers to be paid bribes doesn't sell on Twitter, FB, or any social media channel.

      Closing down alcohol sales "within a distance to a mosque" - which will kill bars, nightclubs, etc in the metropolitan areas because there is a mosque on almost every corner - is not something they can rationalise on FB, except to say that the clerics want it and so they will do their bidding, in return for the clerics support at elections.

      Basically, the only "viewpoint" they have is to create stories about anything OTHER than the real story....the gradual loss of secular society in Turkey.

  8. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    He's not trying hard enough...

    In the UK, saying something offensive or disagreeable on Twitter has the police kicking down your door the next morning.

    He just needs to abuse his power more.

  9. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    social media is the worst menace to society

    Our beloved leader would put the very same idea much, much more diplomatically!

    :D

  10. Greg J Preece

    Actually, he's miles off. The best evidence I've seen of the police crackdown (in which the police are accused of having stormed peaceful camps during the night and burned them down) turned up on Imgur, not Twitter.

  11. Rampant Spaniel

    Pot, Kettle, noir?

  12. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    What goes around...

    Erdogan has been doing everything he can to help topple Assad next door in Syria, condemning him for oppressing people, attacking protests, blocking social media and so on. He's even been helping Qatar and other gulf states channel weapons to jihadists in Syria, all with western political support.

    Now he's got his own protests and he's playing exactly the same game as Assad.

    I somehow doubt William Hague will be condemning him though, and calling for him to step down, just like Bahrain. If you're a 'friend' of the west, you can shoot and oppress your people with impunity it seems.

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