Journalist sentenced over 'child abuse report' released on probation

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Journalist Sinan Aygül, who turned himself into prison yesterday (July 1) after receiving a prison sentence due to a report on a child abuse case, has been released on probation after spending one night behind bars.

Speaking to reporters after his release, Aygül said it was a serious problem for press freedom that a sentence was given because of a report that revealed an incident of child abuse.

"Incidents of sexual abuse are a problem that is already invisible and persistently concealed ... Making these incidents visible is possible with journalism most of the time," he said. "Shackling the journalism only makes it easier for harassers and rapists."

Aygül, the editor-in-chief and grant holder of the local news portal Bitlis News, revealed security camera footage showing a man abusing a girl in Bitlis province in July 2019.

In the video, the face of the abused child was blurred and her name was not mentioned. Almost all major national media outlets used the video he made.

Because of releasing the video, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison for "violating the confidentiality of the investigation." His sentence was upheld last month.

The abuser was nabbed and arrested after the reports. He was sentenced to five years in prison for "qualified sexual assault" and released. (HA/VK)