Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out at mounting Western criticism of his clampdown on free speech and journalism in Turkey. Speaking at a meeting of the Turkish Red Crescent in Ankara, Erdogan criticised the U.S. and Europe as being hypocritical in their condemnation of Turkey’s apparent lack of human rights. “Those who attempt to give us lessons in democracy and human rights must first contemplate their own shame,” the Turkish leader said. Middle East Online reports: His comments came after US President Barack Obama said Turkey’s approach towards the media was taking it “down a path that would be very troubling.” Erdogan’s government has been accused of increasing authoritarianism and muzzling critical media as well as lawmakers, academics, lawyers and NGOs. Two journalists from the leading opposition daily Cumhuriyet face life in prison after being charged with revealing state secrets over a story accusing the government of seeking to illicitly deliver arms to rebels in Syria. Erdogan met with Obama in Washington last week but said the US president had not raised the issue in talks and added he was “saddened” that his American counterpart criticised him behind his back. The president said he had pointed out in other [...]