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Turkey: 12 TV stations closed for alleged security threat

Associated Press
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Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a group of local administrators in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. Erdogan hinted on Thursday that the three-month state of emergency declared following the failed July 15 coup could be extended to over a year. Erdogan dismissed criticism over plans for Turkey to prolong the state of emergency, saying no one should determine a "calendar or roadmap" for Turkey. (Murat Cetinmuhurdar, Prime Ministry Press Service, Pool via AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a group of local administrators in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. Erdogan hinted on Thursday that the three-month state of emergency declared following the failed July 15 coup could be extended to over a year. Erdogan dismissed criticism over plans for Turkey to prolong the state of emergency, saying no one should determine a "calendar or roadmap" for Turkey. (Kayhan Ozer, Prime Ministry Press Service, Pool via AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

FILE - This is a Wednesday, July 20, 2016 file photo of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he speaks after an emergency meeting of the government in Ankara, Turkey. Erdogan hinted on Thursday Sept. 29, 2016 that the three-month state of emergency declared following the failed July 15 coup could be extended to over a year, a day after the national security council recommended it be extended for another three months.  (AP Photo/File) (The Associated Press)

Turkey's state-run news agency says authorities have ordered 12 more news organizations closed down for alleged threats to national security.

Turkey declared a state of emergency in the wake of the July 15 failed military coup and shut down scores of news outlets belonging to U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom it accuses of orchestrating the attempt. Dozens of journalists and other employees have been arrested.

The government later extended the crackdown to pro-Kurdish news outlets for alleged links to outlawed Kurdish militants.

Anadolu Agency reported late Thursday that the country's broadcasting watchdog ordered 12 television stations closed for alleged links to terror organizations or groups that threaten national security.

News reports said the stations ordered closed were mainly pro-Kurdish and included a children's channel broadcasting cartoons dubbed into Kurdish.