Three More Journalists Charged Under 301

Journalists Ozkan, Arcayurek and Bulut have been charged under article 301 for publicly denigrating Turkish soldiers in a program on Kanal Turk TV. Total of 68 people charged under controversial articles 301 and 159 in past 18 months.

Erol Önderoğlu

Journalists Tuncay Ozkan, Cuneyt Arcayurek and Adnan Bulut have been charged for "publicly denigrating Turkish soldiers" in a program aired by "Kanal Turk" television and face up to 3 years imprisonment each if found guilty under penal code article 301.

The charges against all three journalists are linked to views expressed on the "Politics Stop" program on Kanal Turk. Ozkan is the producer of the progam, Bulut the television's program director and Arcayurek a "guest journalist" who appeared on television in this instance.

Subject to the Istanbul charges is Arcayurek's remarks during the program that were aired by the television:

"There is of course truth in the own words of the Turkish Armed Forces that says, we do not slam our fist down on the table, we speak with our brains. Of course we are not saying slam your fist on the table. But has it actually done what it said and what it wanted done by underlining these or pursuing them constantly? Or not? If you had done things by informing the public opinion, it wouldn't have come to this. We put our brains doen on the table, what happened? Nothing left. They didn't respect our brain. They didn't. Stupid".

BIA²: 68 people charged under 301 and 159

The Monitoring Desk of the "Establishing a Countrywide Network for Monitoring and Covering for Media Freedom and Independent Journalism-BİA²" project has disclosed that according to its data from news reports covered, a total of 68 people have been charged in Turkey under articles 301 and 159 of the Turkish Penal Code in 18 months.

While article 301 went into force on June 1, 2005, in instances where it has been favorable for the defendants, article 159 has been imposed.

Those who have been charged under both articles are journalists, writers, publishers, activists, unionists and, in some instance, ordinary citizens. (EO/II/YE)

Origin

BÄ°A News Center

Erol Önderoğlu

[email protected]

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A graduate of the French Language and Literature Department at İstanbul University. He has served as the Turkey representative for the international organization Reporters Without...

A graduate of the French Language and Literature Department at İstanbul University. He has served as the Turkey representative for the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), where he began as a reporter in 1996. Since 1999, he has worked at bianet, a project of the IPS Communication Foundation, as the coordinator of the Legal Support Desk, editor for freedom of expression, and editor-in-chief. He has authored more than 4,800 signed news articles and opinion pieces. He has also written for Bizim Gazete and the journal Güncel Hukuk. He currently prepares the Media Monitoring Reports at bianet.