Istanbul — “I HOPE those who criticize the broadcast ban die in another explosion and understand why the ban is crucial.”

The television anchor sat in shock as she heard these words from the man on the air with her. This man, who was wishing ill on critics of the government, kept talking. Waving his hand at her, he said, “Tell me, what are they going to do when they hear the news, ah, tell me?”

This unfolded on television, approximately 20 minutes after the horrific attacks at the Istanbul airport, and only a few minutes after the government’s broadcasting ban — a routine prohibition on airing too much specific information after such incidents — went into effect.

The man on the screen was a member of Parliament, from the governing party, known for his loyalty to the president. I flipped through the other channels — they were also invaded by spin doctors of the governing party, telling the audience not to question authority. The only information I could find on the attacks that night was an outside view of Ataturk Airport, a place that is like a second home to me because I travel so often, and the rising death toll: 26, 27, 28 and more into the evening. By the end of the week it was up to 44.