‘Menace to society": Turkish PM blames spread of riots on ‘scourge called Twitter’

http://twitter.com/#!/Jimboslice_44/status/341643174843928576

This past Friday, Twitchy reported on the demonstrations at a park in Istanbul, Turkey, which culminated in the police clearing the park with tear gas and a water cannon. The protests have since spread to dozens of locations, reportedly leaving one person dead and over a thousand injured.

According to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Twitter was partly to blame for the unrest spreading so quickly:

http://twitter.com/#!/NigeriaNewsdesk/status/341633612816449536

From The Independent:

The demonstrations began on Friday, growing out of anger over excessive police force against a sit-in against uprooting of trees in Istanbul’s main Taksim Square. They have since spiraled into Turkey’s biggest anti-government disturbances in years, challenging the popular leader’s authority.

Erdogan also blamed Twitter for spreading unrest: “There is now a scourge that is called Twitter. The best examples of lies can be found there. To me, social media is the worst menace to society.”

Sheesh.

The PM’s statement reportedly inspired another Turkish politician to boycott Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/eylemkaftan/status/341567709835849728

But then, this is the same politician who last year sued 600 of his followers for insulting him. Sounds like a bit of a menace to society, himself. We’re guessing few tears will be shed over his departure from the Twitterverse.

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/06/03/turkish-prime-minister-rioting-twitter/

‘Menace to society": Turkish PM blames spread of riots on ‘scourge called Twitter’