|
Turkish/German cabinet minister demands 'culturally sensitive news reporting'
 A vignette from EuThe Google translation isn't too good, and there's some background missing so I'll try to give a brief summary & comments. Aygül Özkan is the cabinet minster for social affairs in the state government of Lower Saxony. Her minstry plans to hold a conference next month with representatives of the media in Lower Saxony attending. According to the itinerary the conference to be concluded by a public signing ceremony where these representatives are supposed to commit to a "Media Charter for Integration in Lower Saxony" (Google translation & original link.) This Charter states that the press is "to support the integration process", and in a specific stipulation mandates "culturally sensitive language." As for Mrs Özkan's political background: she's a member of Merkel's party. Lower Saxony is currently governed by the same parties that make up Merkel's coalition. Appointed only this year, she's the first "Turkish/German" cabinet minster in Germany. In Germany the police departments are organized at the state (Land) level. Anyone who engages in speech that is "culturally insensitive" and whose life is subsequently under credible threat will have to rely on police protection ultimately provided by and organized by the State Government. Can you say chilling effect? Siding with Danish cartoonists or supporting Israel against Turkey just got a lot more dangerous in Lower Saxony. Posted by: Sletle Gleregum9717 2010-07-23 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=301674 |