Twitter, Facebook are 'a MENACE to society', says Turkey's PM
Nowt to do with tweets revealing huge anti-gov riots
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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 shopping centre.
Unsurprisingly, news and rumours about the marches quickly spread on Twitter, which appeared to have galvanised support in other parts of Turkey. Police used teargas on demonstrators in Turkey's biggest city Istanbul, and also in Izmir and the capital Ankara, which sparked further outcry.
Protests were then held across the country, and nearly 2,000 people are said to have been arrested in 67 towns and cities.
Erdogan attacked Twitter for spreading misinformation and helping to fuel the unrest in Turkey. Perhaps he was referring to tweets such as these...
"Revolution will not be televised. It Will be Tweeted". #Turkey #OccupyGezi #Taksim #GenelGreveDavet twitpic.com/cv2a2b
— Walid ELTIFI (@eltifi) June 3, 2013
Protests in front of the national tv channel against their censorship on #OccupyGezi #Turkey #MediaBlackout twitter.com/Crypt0nymous/s…
— Anonymous (@Crypt0nymous) June 3, 2013
"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."
The Turkish PM described the protesters as "extremists" who were attending "organised" events led by the country's main opposition, the Republican People's Party, known as the CHP.
"Those who make news [and] call these events the Turkish Spring do not know Turkey," Erdogan growled. ®
