Journalists’ Union of Turkey appeals against the circular censoring police violence

* Photo: Zeynep Kuray

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The Journalists' Union of Turkey (TGS) has appealed to the Council of State and requested the stay of execution and the annulment of the circular of the Directorate General of Security which bans audio and video recording of police officers during protest demonstrations.

Releasing a statement about its application, the TGS has underlined that the related circular targets citizens and journalists and interferes with freedom of expression as well as press freedom.

The statement of the union has raised concerns that "since the very first days when it was issued, the circular has been used against journalists." It has also noted that "a restriction that shall be imposed by law, as stipulated in the Constitution, has been imposed by a circular." Accordingly, the TGS has underlined that it "constitutes a usurpation of functions."

The Journalists' Union of Turkey has further underlined that "the circular is against the law as it has the characteristics of censorship in a manner that is against freedom of expression as a public good in terms of both authority and form and as to the merits." Accordingly, the union has requested an immediate stay of execution of the circular and its annulment.

What happened?

The Directorate General of Security, on April 27, issued a circular that bans recording voices and images at demonstrations. The Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) İstanbul Branch revealed the circular issued by the signature of Director General of Security Mehmet Aktaş.

With this circular, the police have been instructed to prevent the people who capture the images or voices of police officers during demonstrations and to take legal action against the related people.

The circular has argued that posting the recorded voices and images of police and civilians "violates the privacy of private life", adding that capturing voices and images prevents the fulfillment of duty as well. (HA/SD)