freedom of expression

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AKP plans to introduce prison sentences for 'disinformation' on social media, says MP

AKP plans to introduce prison sentences for 'disinformation' on social media, says MP

Citing Germany's laws, AKP deputy Özkaya said Turkey should also impose prison sentences for disinformation and misinformation on social media.

'Insulting Erdoğan': Nearly 10,000 people stood trial in a year, including 290 children

'Insulting Erdoğan': Nearly 10,000 people stood trial in a year, including 290 children

More than 7,000 people were either sentences or given a deferred sentence, CHP deputy Tanrıkulu has said.

Free journalism will end unless there is a brave struggle

BİA MEDIA MONITORING REPORT / APRIL-MAY-JUNE 2021

Free journalism will end unless there is a brave struggle

In the period of April - May - June 2021, 18 journalists faced a total of 84 years in prison as defendants of “insulting the President” in Turkey. In the same period last year, the number of journalists facing this charge was six.

13 July 2021 Erol Önderoğlu,Sinem Aydınlı

Former CHP MP Berhan Şimşek indicted for ‘degrading the state’

Former CHP MP Berhan Şimşek indicted for ‘degrading the state’

Berhan Şimşek, an MP for the main opposition CHP and actor, has been indicted for saying, “The governor is a militant, the sub-governor is a militant.” Charged with "degrading the state and its bodies", Şimşek faces up to 2 years in prison.

Journalist sentenced to prison over ‘news on Erdoğan cartoons’

Journalist sentenced to prison over ‘news on Erdoğan cartoons’

Put on trial over a news report titled “German Cartoonists Have Drawn Erdoğan Badly”, Evrensel newspaper’s news director Cem Şimşek has been sentenced to 11 months, 20 days in prison on charge of “insulting the President.”

Constitutional Court issues detailed ruling on HDP's Gergerlioğlu

Constitutional Court issues detailed ruling on HDP's Gergerlioğlu

The top court ruled on July 1 that Gergerlioğlu's "right to be elected and to engage in political activities" and "the right to personal liberty and security" were violated.

‘Police circular is nothing but hostility towards journalists’

PROGRESSIVE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION

‘Police circular is nothing but hostility towards journalists’

The ÇGD report says, “There is still no investigation into the persons who in a way attempted to kill Bülent Kılıç while having the status of ‘state security force’ and they are still on duty. It is the clear indicator of the underlying mentality of this crime.”

Report: Turkey is the top country in violating the rights of women journalists

Report: Turkey is the top country in violating the rights of women journalists

“Turkey is one of the most dangerous countries with cases of legal harassment and intimidation by the state. 25 women journalists appeared in court to defend themselves in June,” says the monthly report of the Coalition For Women in Journalism.

RTÜK penalized only critical TV outlets in 2021

RTÜK penalized only critical TV outlets in 2021

"RTÜK is now a primary problem of Turkey's broadcasting and the biggest obstacle to freedom of the press," council member İlhan Taşçı has said.

Constitutional Court: Daily Özgür Gündem’s closure was a violation of rights

Constitutional Court: Daily Özgür Gündem’s closure was a violation of rights

Pronouncing its ruling as to the “temporary closure” of the Özgür Gündem newspaper in 2016, the Constitutional Court has concluded that the daily’s freedoms of expression and press have been violated.

İzmir Bar under investigation for criticizing religious affairs head's LGBTI+phobic remarks

İzmir Bar under investigation for criticizing religious affairs head's LGBTI+phobic remarks

"You will not be able to silence the voice of the İzmir Bar Association with investigations, trials and penalties," the bar association has said.

Journalists as targets of hate

Journalists as targets of hate

An online event to explore the impact of hate campaigns on journalists’ safety and independence...

Journalists protest police violence: 'We can't breathe'

Journalists protest police violence: 'We can't breathe'

Photojournalist Bülent Kılıç was violently detained while covering the LGBTI+ Pride March on Saturday. Journalists have protested police violence in İstanbul, İzmir and Ankara.

30 June 2021 Hikmet Adal

International reactions to police violence against photojournalist during Pride March

International reactions to police violence against photojournalist during Pride March

Police officers violently detained AFP photojournalist Bülent Kılıç, who was heard saying "I can't breathe" as officers kneeled on him.

Court orders access ban on Sedat Peker's social media accounts

Court orders access ban on Sedat Peker's social media accounts

Twitter, YouTube and Instagram have not yet implemented the order as Peker says "I'll continue to share what I know with you."

Prosecutor seeks sentence over news report on presidential aide's 'illegal construction'

Prosecutor seeks sentence over news report on presidential aide's 'illegal construction'

Four journalists are charged with "marking counterterrorism officials as a target" and "violation of privacy."

Journalist Mustafa Sönmez acquitted of 'insulting the president'

Journalist Mustafa Sönmez acquitted of 'insulting the president'

Sönmez was on trial over his tweets about the 2016 arrest of Reza Zarrab, a businessperson from Iran who also has citizenship of Turkey.

Police officer makes defense: I am the bottom of the hierarchy

VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALIST

Police officer makes defense: I am the bottom of the hierarchy

In the trial of the police officers who battered journalist Beyza Kural during news follow-up, telling her, “Nothing is the same anymore, we will make you learn it,” the defendants made contradictory statements at the first hearing today, on June 23.

ECtHR convicts Turkey twice for violating citizens’ freedom of expression

ECtHR convicts Turkey twice for violating citizens’ freedom of expression

The ECtHR has concluded that the judicial fine imposed on a university student for “insulting Erdoğan” and the dismissal of a worker from her job due to her social media likes violated the applicants’ rights.

News on ‘hidden file in October 10 Ankara Massacre case’ acquitted

News on ‘hidden file in October 10 Ankara Massacre case’ acquitted

The court has ruled for the acquittal of daily Cumhuriyet's Managing Editor Büyüktaş Akça and former Ankara correspondent Uludağ, who reported that the assaulters who committed the 2015 Ankara Massacre had tried to buy explosives in Nizip.

New lawsuit against journalist Deniz Yücel for ‘insulting Erdoğan’

New lawsuit against journalist Deniz Yücel for ‘insulting Erdoğan’

The court case filed against Die Welt reporter Deniz Yücel for “insulting the President” has been merged with the file of the case where he is standing trial on charge of “publicly degrading the state.”

Reporter slightly injured in 10th attack on journalists in Turkey this year

Reporter slightly injured in 10th attack on journalists in Turkey this year

DHA reporter Ahmet Atmaca has been attacked by multiple people while working.

Court of appeals overturns journalist’s prison term over a tweet from 6 years ago

Court of appeals overturns journalist’s prison term over a tweet from 6 years ago

Sentenced to 1 year, 3 months in prison over her tweet “Makhmur camp has been captured by ISIS…,” Sabiha Temizkan has been acquitted by the court of appeals.

9 June 2021 Hikmet Adal

Ali Bulaç to be paid 12,240 Euro in non-pecuniary damages

Ali Bulaç to be paid 12,240 Euro in non-pecuniary damages

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has concluded that the right to liberty and security and freedom of expression of Ali Bulaç, who stood trial in the Zaman newspaper case, were violated.

MP Ahmet Şık investigated over comments on Sedat Peker videos

MP Ahmet Şık investigated over comments on Sedat Peker videos

The Workers Party of Turkey MP is under investigation for saying "The state is a murderer" on two occasions.

Communications director demands 15,000 lira from social media user who called him a 'swine'

Communications director demands 15,000 lira from social media user who called him a 'swine'

With all his "good intentions," Fahrettin Altun does not seek further compensation and will be satisfied if his attorney's fee is covered, according to his petition.

3 June 2021 Ayça Söylemez

84 retired admirals summoned to depose over ‘Montreux declaration’

84 retired admirals summoned to depose over ‘Montreux declaration’

An investigation has been launched against 84 people who signed the ‘Montreux declaration’ and have not given their statements. They are charged with “making an agreement to commit crime against the security of the state and constitutional order.”

Social media user faces a lawsuit, warrant for calling MHP Chair Bahçeli ‘senile’

Social media user faces a lawsuit, warrant for calling MHP Chair Bahçeli ‘senile’

A social media user who commented on a news story about MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli will stand trial on charge of “attacking honor, dignity or prestige” and will face up to 2 years, 4 months in prison on the offense charged.

24 May 2021 Ayça Söylemez

‘Rights and freedoms successively violated in Turkey in April’

REPORT BY 3 ORGANIZATIONS

‘Rights and freedoms successively violated in Turkey in April’

Commenting on the violations of freedom of expression in April, TİHV Secretary General Üsterci says, “Security interventions were mostly against the protests of workers who were dismissed from work due to being members of professional unions.”

Cumhuriyet newspaper responds to interior minister's threats

SEDAT PEKER VIDEOS

Cumhuriyet newspaper responds to interior minister's threats

The newspaper was targeted by Minister Soylu after it reported on the allegations by a crime group leader against the government in its headline.

New lawsuit against journalist Deniz Yücel

HE FACES UP TO 2 YEARS

New lawsuit against journalist Deniz Yücel

Die Welt reporter Deniz Yücel has been indicted by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on charge of “degrading the State of the Republic of Turkey, its government, judicial bodies and the security organization of the state.”

‘Not press workers, but journalism targeted as a whole’

TIGRIS EUPHRATES JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION

‘Not press workers, but journalism targeted as a whole’

According to the monthly report of the Tigris Euphrates Journalists (DFG) Association, nine journalists were taken into custody, four journalists were prevented from news follow-up and two journalists faced an investigation in April 2021.