Another article of 'censorship bill' adopted, journalists walk out of parliament in protest

According to the newly adopted article 15, in case it is understood that a press card holder does not have the qualifications required by the law or that they lose such qualifications over time, the Directorate of Communications will have the authority to revoke the press card.

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Another article of 'censorship bill' adopted, journalists walk out of parliament in protest

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Another article of the "disinformation bill," also dubbed as the "censorship bill" by critics, was adopted in the parliament yesterday (October 11). So far, the parliament has passed 15 out of 40 articles of the bill.

Journalists protested the ongoing discussions on the proposal despite harsh criticism from both professional organizations and opposition parties. Journalists walked out of the general assembly in protest.

The Journalists' Union of Turkey shared a video on Twitter showing the journalist protesting the bill:

Tüm itirazlara rağmen sansür yasasında ısrar edilmesini TBMM genel kurul salonundan çıkarak protesto ediyoruz! #SünsürYasasınaHayır pic.twitter.com/WZnctCcD1o
— Gazeteciler Sendikası (@TGS_org_tr) October 11, 2022

And in case a press card holder violates journalistic ethics, it will be possible to cancel their press card with the decision of the Press Card Commission.

Reactions

Opposition deputies took the floor to back their motions for amendment.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) MP İbrahim Kaboğlu said that the bill reflected a "march towards totalitarianism" while People's Democratic Party (HDP) MP Mehmet Rüştü Tiryaki said that the "Directorate of Propaganda" could not decide who should be regarded as journalists.

The article was adopted with the votes of Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputies.

About the bill

According to the "Draft Bill on the Amendment of the Press Law and Some Laws," those who work for internet news portals will be regarded as journalists and they will be able to apply to the Department of Communication for a press credential.

Public employees working in information services in public institutions, radios and televisions will also be able to receive press credentials.

Internet news portals will be taken within the scope of periodical publications.
The proposed law named as a 'censorship law' by journalists' professional organizations also includes new imprisonment penalties.

The proposal reads, "Those who publicly distribute information which is not really related with the security of the country inside or outside, public order or public health with the purpose of creating concern, fear or panic among the people in a manner that domestic peace may be destroyed will be punished with an imprisonment sentence of 1 to 3 years.

With the proposal, reporting offensive content related to the National Intelligence Agency activities and personnel is included within the scope of catalog crimes.

(HA/PE/VK)