Northern Cyprus: CFWIJ Condemns The Investigation Against Journalist Ayşemden Akin
Location: Northern Cyprus, Nicosia
Date: January 25, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Today, an investigation was launched against Bugün Kıbrıs columnist Ayşemden Akın over the social media posts she shared about presidential elections. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ), condemns the unfair investigation. We demand the Turkish authorities to respect freedom of expression and the free press. Journalists cannot be prosecuted for freely expressing their views.
An investigation was conducted against journalist Ayşemden Akın in Turkey due to the social media posts she shared before the presidential election in Northern Cyprus on October 11, 2020. An investigation was launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor that Ayşemden shared social media posts to insult the Turkish state and its representative to provoke the public. The investigation against the journalist was alleged that the journalist insulted the Turkey's Ambassador to Nicosia in her social media posts during the last presidential elections in Northern Cyprus. The criminal complaint filed by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Turkish-Cypriot journalist took to her Twitter account to announce the investigation. She quoted that “An investigation was launched against me by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor, following a criminal complaint filed by the Foreign Affairs. I am facing a charge of 'insulting the Turkish state and its representative for social media posts to provoke the public'. It seems there are no journalists left in Turkey who were not invited to testify. Seems it's our turn."
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the investigation against Ayşemden Akın. Journalists should be able to freely express their observations and opinions. Journalists cannot be prosecuted in democratic countries where freedom of expression exists. We demand Turkish authorities to implement practices that respect the criteria of freedom of press and expression.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the incidents in Turkey with great concern. Since March 8, Women's Day, police violence against women journalists increasingly continues in the country. As the coalition, we urge the Turkish state to provide a free environment for journalists. Following the news is our most fundamental democratic right to report. We demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues. Journalism is not a crime. Journalism cannot be prevented.
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