Erdogan and the press... A coup after the "coup attempt"
August 9, 2019, 7:25 am

Erdogan and the press... A coup after the coup attempt

Press freedom in Turkey is at stake in the aftermath of the coup attempt

The failed coup attempt in Turkey in 2016 was a watershed moment in the history of democracy and freedoms; the situation has become so dire that many have fled the country—especially journalists.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been accused of pursuing policies that undermine democracy and human rights. Since then, voices, based on many facts, have risen.

Human Rights Watch declares in a report that Erdogan government has dismissed more than 150,000 public officials for alleged association in the coup attempt or links to the Gülen group. Whereas 64,000 others have been sentenced to prison including about 150 journalists and media worker, and that has turned Turkey to be the world's largest prison for journalists.

Observers believe that the "cleansing" campaign launched by Erdogan against supporters of Fethullah Gülen religious movement, which Ankara accuses of being involved in the coup attempt, has pushed the country into very bad conditions.

The campaign was kind of a coup enforced by Erdogan’s government against his political and press opponents. However, according to the observers, they had nothing to do with Gülen’s movement

In terms of press freedoms, hundreds of Turkish journalists have lost their jobs for claims of supporting the coup, insulting the president and denouncing his campaign in tweets and posts on social media.

According to a 2018 media watchdog report, more than 120 journalists were sentenced to prison for a minimum of five years during the past two years.

In 2017, Ankara blocked Wikipedia because, as Ankara claims, it contained information linking the Turkish state to terrorist organizations.

In last year's World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders, Turkey ranks 157 out of 180 countries.

Not long ago, three journalists were sacked after an interview with former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu just 24 hours after it was broadcast on YouTube.

Ankara government controls about 90 percent of Turkish media. Reporters Without Borders says censorship of websites and social media has reached unprecedented levels that reinforce restriction of media freedom in the country.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.