Turkey: An Investigation Conducted Against Journalist Melis Alphan For Allegations Of Spreading Terrorist Propaganda
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: November 26, 2020Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Journalist Melis Alphan is under investigation for allegations of spreading terrorist propaganda. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) demands the authorities put an end to the groundless claims against the journalist.
Melis Alphan was summoned to the Press Crimes Bureau of Istanbul Çağlayan Courthouse on November 23. An investigation was launched against the journalist for her alleged affiliation to a Kurdish terrorist group. The accusation came after a photo surfaced on a social media account indicating the radical group’s flag in the background from the event held in Diyarbakır in 2015.
"The day started normally but ended at the courthouse with a phone call from the police because of a post I shared years ago. This is the latest trend." She announced the investigation on her Twitter account.
Alphan added that "An investigation was conducted against me for spreading terrorist propaganda due to the photo I shared 6 years ago from Diyarbakır in 2015 when the resolution process accelerated. I stated a suspect. However, these images were broadcast on all TV channels that day; the state was there too”
Speaking to the CFWIJ, Melis Alphan said, “This is such an absurd accusation that I am facing now. I believe this investigation attempts intimidation against me."
Award-winning journalist Melis Alphan has worked for leading newspapers such as Radikal and Milliyet in Turkey. In 2013 her "My mother put me in a mental hospital" interview brought her the 'Best Interview' award by the Journalists Association of Turkey. In 2015, she received another award from TMMOB Chamber of Urban Planners (ŞPO) City Planning.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands with Melis Alphan and considers these legal harassments as unjustified tactics to intimidate journalists. These vicious attacks against journalists are a result of conscious, systematic policies that threaten the freedom of the press. Journalists cannot be prosecuted for the events they cover or through the posts they share on social media. We demand a decision of non-prosecution for the investigation against Melis Alphan.
...
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world, and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
Follow us on Instagram @womeninjournalism and Twitter @CFWIJ. Our website is WomenInJournalism.org and we can be reached at press@womeninjournalism.org
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.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.