'58 journalists faced up to 896 years in prison in Turkey in October'

Click to read the article in Turkish

The Journalists' Association has shared the results of its monthly report on trials and violations of rights faced by journalists in Turkey.

According to the report titled "Cost of Journalism" (Haberin Bedeli) and issued as part of a project led by journalist Hayri Demir, journalists were once again subjected to trials, pressure, threats and attacks.

The report has shown that 34 separate hearings were held in nine provinces in October and at least 58 journalists appeared before the judge.

As part of these trials, the journalists faced a life sentence as well as 272 years, 6 months to 896 years, 6 months 15 days in prison and non-pecuniary damages of 200 thousand Turkish Lira (TRY).

According to the report, the journalists were faced charges as per the Anti-Terror Law (TMK) the most: While 27 journalists faced the charge of "being a member of a [terrorist/illegal] organization, 11 journalists were charged with "propagandizing for the organization", seven journalists were charged with "violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations" and four journalists were charged with "insulting the President".

The report has indicated that 10 journalists were acquitted while journalists were sentenced to 2 years, 5 months, 12 days in prison and a fine of 16,600 TRY in total in the three trials that were finalized in October.

Emphasizing that the pressure on journalists is not limited to the ongoing trials, the report has underlined that new investigations were launched against seven journalists and two journalists were taken into custody during news follow-up in this period. Four journalists were directly attacked and threatened in October, according to the "Cost of Journalism" report.

CLICK - BIA Media Monitoring Reports

CLICK - BIA Media Monitoring Database

(HA/SD)

Click to read the full report in Turkish