International journalism organizations call on Turkey to withdraw disinformation bill

"Journalism is not a crime"

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Releasing a joint statement, 23 international groups, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), have called on the government to withdraw the "disinformation law." 

MPs of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on May 26 put forward a bill amending the Press Law and several other laws. The bill stipulates prison sentences for "spreading disinformation." 

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"Disinformation is an important issue and needs to be combatted but not at the price of restricting journalists' rights and the public's rights of freedom of expression," said the jıint statement by the 23 groups.

"Any such initiatives should be developed in close consultation with media and other stakeholders and include sufficient safeguards for free speech and independent journalism that can prevent their abuse by the government to impose  arbitrary censorship.

"We, therefore, call on all Turkey's parliamentarians who believe in the parliamentary process and the free flow of ideas and information as central to a democratic society, to vote down this bill."

The following groups signed the statement:

• ARTICLE 19
• Articolo 21
• Association of European Journalists
• Committee to Protect Journalists
• English PEN
• European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
• European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
• IFEX
• International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
• International Press Institute (IPI)
• Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
• Media Research Association (MEDAR)
• OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)
• PEN America
• PEN International
• PEN Norway
• Platform for Independent Journalism (P24)
• Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
• South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
• Swedish Pen
• The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ)
• Turkey Human Rights Litigation Support Project
• World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)

(HA/VK)