Access to Instagram remain banned in Turkey, pending negotiations between authorities and the social media platform. It is not clear what regulators demand from Instagram to restore access, given that its only crime was to censor a post by President Erdogan.
On Saturday, Turkish press reported a new survey which reveals the ban is highly unpopular with potential voters:
The repercussions of the closure of Instagram, one of Turkey’s most used social media applications, by the BTK (Turkey’s Internet content watch dog) decision continue. While there were reactions to the ban from all social segments, ASAL Research Director Adem Belede made a remarkable statement. He claimed that the Instagram decision would reduce AKP votes.
Türkiye continues to experience the effects of the sudden decision taken yesterday. Instagram, which was closed yesterday by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority on the grounds that it interfered with posts about HAMAS Leader Ismail Haniyye, was one of the social media platforms where citizens spent the most time. Making a statement on the issue, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdülkadir Uraloğlu stated that they are in talks with Instagram and that they will do their part and lift the ban if the platform shows the necessary sensitivity.
INSTAGRAM BAN WILL COST AKP VOTES
Those who thought that the access barrier would be lifted woke up to disappointment on the second day of the decision. Making a statement about the issue on his social media account, Asal Research director Adem Belede claimed that the decision would reflect badly on the AKP. Belede included the following statements in his post:
“As long as the economic misery/cost of living crisis continues, the AK Party is doomed to lose votes. The expectations of retirees/minimum wage earners were not met in July. “The second most important problem of the country is that it is essential to send ‘refugees’ back to their countries.”
“IN CASE THE BAN IS PROLONGED…”
Stating that AKP’s popularity in society decreased with the new legislation to cull stray animals, Belede said that the Instagram ban will cost AKP at least 2 points in the upcoming polls.
Belede said, “Banning access to Instagram in Turkey with the BTK decision will already cause the AK Party to lose 2 points of votes. “There is a high probability that this loss will increase if the closure decision is prolonged,” he commented.
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