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Seized Turkish newspaper adopts pro-government line

People run as riot police use tear gas and water cannons to disperse people gathered in support outside the headquarters of Zaman newspaper in Istanbul, Saturday, March 5, 2016. The European Union is facing increasing pressure to speak out against the erosion of media freedom in Turkey following the takeover of the country's largest-circulation newspaper, but few expect it to take a bold stance toward Ankara while trying to assure its help in dealing with the migration crisis. Police used tear gas and water cannons for a second day running on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters who gathered outside the headquarters of Zaman newspaper — now surrounded by police fences. (AP Photo)
People run as riot police use tear gas and water cannons to disperse people gathered in support outside the headquarters of Zaman newspaper in Istanbul, Saturday, March 5, 2016. The European Union is facing increasing pressure to speak out against the erosion of media freedom in Turkey following the takeover of the country's largest-circulation newspaper, but few expect it to take a bold stance toward Ankara while trying to assure its help in dealing with the migration crisis. Police used tear gas and water cannons for a second day running on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters who gathered outside the headquarters of Zaman newspaper — now surrounded by police fences. (AP Photo) People run as riot police use tear gas and water cannons to disperse people gathered in support outside the headquarters of Zaman newspaper in Istanbul, Saturday, March 5, 2016. The European Union is facing increasing pressure to speak out against the erosion of media freedom in Turkey following the takeover of the country's largest-circulation newspaper, but few expect it to take a bold stance toward Ankara while trying to assure its help in dealing with the migration crisis. Police used tear gas and water cannons for a second day running on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters who gathered outside the headquarters of Zaman newspaper — now surrounded by police fences. (AP Photo)

By Associated Press 1 min read

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – Turkey’s largest-circulation newspaper has adopted a more pro-government line in its first edition since a court ordered it to be seized, a move which has heightened fears over deteriorating media freedom in the country.

Police stormed the headquarters of the Zaman opposition newspaper Friday to enforce a court decision to place it and its sister outlets under the management of trustees. The step sparked two days of protests which police dispersed using tear gas and water cannons.

The newspaper was linked to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s top foe, the U.S. based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Its take-over is part of a wider state crackdown on his movement.

The newspaper’s top story Sunday described how Erdogan attended a ceremony marking a key phase in the construction of a bridge in Istanbul.