First Media Ban Objection Rejected, Other Objections Pending

Ankara 8^th Peace Court Judge Panel declined the complaint submitted by Republican People’s Party on the media ban regarding the coverage of corruption probe commission hearings.

However, several objections have been raised against the media ban initiated by Parliamentary Commission Chairman Hakkı Köylü’s request.

bianet, Halk TV and Media Council went to court

bianet editor-in-chief Haluk Kalafat declared that they have submitted a complaint through their attorney Meriç Eyüboğlu  yesterday.

Halk TV Channel  also brought the matter to the court through their attorney Şahin Mengü. The last complaint was made by Press Council at Ankara 8^th Assize Court.

“According to previous ECHR rulings, the right to inform the public has a priority over the reputation protection of four former minister,” Media Council said in a statement.

“Except for public interest, we believe that media bans are openly censorship and we believe that they are against the democracy. The practice of the media ban in all news coverage violates our constitution and international treaties that Turkey has signed.”

Media ban and prosecutions

On November 25, Ankara 7^th Peace Court Judge Penal imposed a media ban on the coverage of 4 former ministers’ [Zafer Çağlayan, Muammer Güler, Egemen Bağış and Erdoğan Bayraktar] statements to a parliamentary commission within corruption probe.

On the other hand, 15 journalists faced prosecutions for covering the corruption probe.

Those who ignore, condemn the ban

Following the imposing of the ban, media outlets Cumhuriyet, BirGün, Evrensel, Sözcü, bianet, T24, Zete, Ortasayfa, Solhaber, karsigazete and Grihat released statements saying that they would not obey the ban.

On the other hand, the following media organizations released a statement condemning the ban: Journalists Society of Turkey (TGC), Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS), Press Council, Platform For Freedom to Journalists (GÖP), Press Institute Association, International Press Institute (IPI), Reports Without Borders (RSF). (EÖ/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.