US expresses concern over Turkey blocking access to Twitter

They said blocking the social media site cuts the flow of information and runs contrary to the principles of open governance

United States has expressed deep concern over the Turkish government's decision to block Twitter and urged Ankara to respect the freedom of the press.

"The United States is deeply concerned that the Turkish government has blocked its citizens' access to basic communication tools," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters yesterday.

Carney says blocking the social media site cuts the flow of information and runs contrary to the principles of open governance.

"We oppose this restriction on the Turkish people's access to information, which undermines their ability to exercise freedoms of expression and association and runs contrary to the principles of open governance that are critical to democratic governance and the universal rights that the United States stands for around the world," he said.

The United States, he said, has conveyed its serious concern to the Turkish government, urge Turkish authorities to respect the freedom of the press by permitting the independent and unfettered operation of media of all kinds, and support the people of Turkey in their calls to restore full access to the blocked technologies.

The State Department Spokesperson, Jen Psaki, said the US supports freedom of expression in Turkey and opposes any action to encroach on the right to free speech.

"We urge the Turkish Government to unblock its citizens' access to Twitter and ensure free access to all social media platforms," she said.

"An independent and unfettered media is an essential element of democratic, open societies."

"Today's shutdown of Twitter is contrary to Turkey's own expressed desire to uphold the highest standards of democracy," Psaki said.

Turkey has restricted access to Twitter hours after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to "root out" the social media network where wiretapped recordings have been leaked, damaging the government's reputation ahead of local elections.

People in Turkey who tried to use Twitter early yesterday got a notice citing court orders for its apparent closure.