Date: November 14, 2024

By: Máire Rowland, Research Coordinator, Women Press Freedom at CFWIJ

Yesterday, Turkiye’s Parliament postponed discussions on the controversial “Agent of Influence” bill, following a significant backlash from civil society, journalists, and press freedom organizations. However, the bill remains on the table, not shelved, with plans for further judicial review before resuming debate. The temporary delay offers only a brief respite; the threats this bill poses to Turkiye’s independent media and civil society are still looming.

The bill, if enacted, would be a new tool in the government’s ongoing campaign against independent media and civil society. The proposed addition of Article 339/A to the Turkish Penal Code would criminalize acts deemed aligned with foreign interests, framing legitimate activities—such as investigative journalism or human rights work—as espionage or treason. This sweeping change would grant authorities disturbing power to prosecute journalists and activists on ambiguous charges of harming "state security" or "state interests," with prison terms ranging from three to twelve years.

The language of this proposed law is strikingly broad, creating a dangerous latitude for arbitrary enforcement. Under its vague terms, reporting on issues critical of government policy—such as social unrest or environmental concerns—could lead to charges of acting as a foreign agent. Such a chilling restriction would cripple the role of civil society as a watchdog and silence independent voices crucial to democratic accountability.

The similarities between Turkiye’s bill and Russia’s notorious foreign agent law are glaring. Moscow has systematically used similar legislation to drive journalists into exile, shutter independent outlets, and label dissenters as enemies of the state. Following suit, Georgia recently adopted its own version of the law, and Hungary has proposed similar measures. Turkiye’s push to adopt this anti-democratic trend underscores a troubling movement to suppress press freedom and civil liberties under the guise of national security.

The proposed bill in Turkiye is the culmination of a systematic repression campaign that has escalated in recent years. Since 2016, Turkey’s government has leveraged various legislative tools to stifle dissent, particularly in the media. The disinformation law, enacted in 2022, gave authorities expansive powers to label critical news as “fake” and enforce censorship. Meanwhile, terrorism laws have been wielded to prosecute Kurdish and independent journalists. Now, Turkiye’s government is advancing yet another tool in its arsenal—one that threatens to dismantle what remains of independent media and civil society.

Women journalists, especially those from Kurdish media, are already disproportionately targeted by Turkiye’s repression. This bill would likely worsen existing press violations and intensify harassment against reporters. Women Press Freedom’s documentation has consistently shown that women journalists in the country bear the brunt of discrimination, harassment, and violence, and the proposed law would further endanger their safety and ability to report independently.

Civil society is mounting strong resistance to the proposed law. A coalition of human rights defenders, bar associations, and press freedom advocates warns that this law would criminalize critical work that exposes state abuses and promotes accountability. The recent delay in passing the bill shows that the growing backlash is making an impact. However, Erdogan’s government has seldom shown openness to dialogue or compromise on press freedom in the past. Civil society and the global community must keep up the pressure on policymakers.

Women Press Freedom calls on the international community to act swiftly and decisively. The European Union, the United Nations, and Turkiye’s allies must recognize this bill for what it is—an authoritarian measure designed to eliminate independent journalism and civil society. Sanctions and diplomatic pressure should be applied to compel the Turkish Grand National Assembly to reject the bill and to hold Turkiye’s leaders accountable for their disregard for fundamental freedoms.

Turkiye’s proposed “Agent of Influence” law is not just a domestic issue—it represents the expanding erosion of democratic freedoms worldwide. Now is the time for a stand in support of press freedom and civil liberties. If passed, this law will mark a grave setback for democracy in Turkiye and will cast a long shadow over press freedom globally.