Union of bars seeks annulment of amendment to Press Ethical Principles

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The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) has filed a case with the Council of State, the country's top administrative court, demanding the annulment of the "ethical principles" released by the Press Advertisement Institution (BİK).

"The Ethical Principles for the Press" came into force after it was published in the Official Gazette on July 6.

The principles lack legal basis, the TBB said in a written statement.

The BİK's decision "brings arrangements and restrictions that are vague, disproportionate, open to interpretation, and ambiguous," and violates the principle of clarity, according to the TTB.

"The arrangement in question, which results in the violation of freedom of expression and the press, also causes the restriction of the right to access the court for relevant outlets," it further said.

The principles

The Press Ethical Principles, which had remained unchanged since 1994, were amended in July.

The expression "Publications cannot praise the crime and the criminal and provoke the people into hatred and hostility" has been added to the text dated 1994.

The principle that "Publications cannot encourage terrorism" has been expanded to include "information and images about terrorist organizations, their member and incidents cannot be published in a way that legitimizes these organizations."

The principle that "Publications cannot be against morality" has been changed to "Publications cannot be against general morality." (HA/VK)