Mainstream Turkish media turn blind eye to country’s worst currency crisis
Although Turkey is suffering one of the worst currency crises in its history, no single mainstream Turkish media outlet has covered the development.
Aug. 6 — the date when the Turkish lira hit record lows following the sanctions the Donald Trump administration slapped on Turkey over the row caused by the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson — might mark the Turkish economy’s “Black Monday.”
On Aug. 6, the Turkish currency plunged to 5.11 liras to the US dollar, breaking the psychological barrier of 5 liras. Not only that, but around midnight, the lira even traded at 5.42 to the dollar.
While these developments were unfolding, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — who might also be dubbed as the country’s “supreme leader” who is in charge of everything — was heard from only once. The irony is that Erdogan met that same day with a high-level official from a country, Venezuela, which is also suffering from a serious economic crisis.
Erdogan’s meeting with Tareck El Aissami, Venezuela’s industry and national production minister, received wide coverage in Turkey’s pro-government media as the visit came soon after the apparent assassination attempt on Venezuelan strongman and Erdogan’s close friend President Nicolas Maduro.
