Turkey: Another Week of Blows on Journalism — Government Trying to Block Women Journalists
Location: Turkey
Date: January 25, 2023Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Journalists are banned from practising their profession, using social media and even asking questions every day in Turkey. The week of January 23 was marked with new reported cases of violence against journalists. Journalist Nazlan Ertan faced legal harassment due to a retweet, Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu was blocked and pushed for 'asking questions'. An investigation was launched against Hale Gönültaş for a news story. CFWIJ condemns this policy of baseless charges and violence against journalists. We demand that the basic principles of journalism be remembered and respected by the authorities who must act worthy of their professional dignity.
"Mind your own business" was the answer journalist Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu got as a response to his question
On Tuesday, January 24, journalist Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu, like other members of the press, had a few questions for MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, after the Parliamentary Group Meeting of his party. Yazıcıoğlu asked a question about the murder of former ‘Grey Wolves’ President Sinan Ateş. "Come on, mind your business" was the answer he received from Bahçeli. Following Bahçeli's response, the guards and MHP deputies pushed the journalist away.
Subsequently, MHP Deputy Chairman İsmail Özdemir also targeted Yazıcıoğlu on Twitter. Özdemir claimed that journalist Yazıcıoğlu acted as an "agent provocateur". He further stated that this was incompatible with the professional principles of the press.
CFWIJ reminds that the foundation of a journalist's job is to ask questions. These questions, which politicians and authorities try to avoid at all costs, are a crucial part of investigative journalism. Unearthing the truth and informing the public is the primary duty of journalists.
We see this disrespect towards journalist Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu, who has been doing her job best for years, as an insult to all journalists. CFWIJ demands an immediate apology from Yazıcıoğlu.
Journalist Nazlan Ertan, who was subjected to legal harassment due to a retweet, was acquitted
Al-Monitor journalist Nazlan Ertan faced legal harassment following a retweet describing an injustice. Ertan was prosecuted for RTing a tweet about the case of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İzmir Provincial Building employee Deniz Poyraz, who was killed in 2021. The journalist was accused of "publicly insulting a public official due to his duty" and "targeting those who took part in the fight against terrorism". Ertan was given a travel ban for simply RTing without any additional comments. Ertan was acquitted in the first hearing held in İzmir on Tuesday, January 24.
CFWIJ stands with Nazlan Ertan, who does not remain silent in the face of injustice. We welcome the acquittal and condemn this policy of legal harassment against journalists under unjust and unfounded excuses. The main duty of journalists is to produce impartial and objective news, just like Nazlan Ertan, by pursuing the truth. Similarly, the duty of the members of the judiciary is not to intimidate journalists with legal harassment cases, but to fight against injustice.
An investigation has been launched against journalist Hale Gönültaş, who uncovered a grievance
December 14, 2022, Short Wave writer, journalist Hale Gönültaş reported on the disappearance and rape of a 12-year-old girl who was staying in a children's dormitory. Following the report, an investigation was launched against Gönültaş after a police officer filed a criminal complaint. In addition to Gönültaş, the police officer also filed a complaint against the mother of the victim and the Federation of Women's Associations, saying that "it is unacceptable that the state is destroyed so much just because of a woman's claim".
Gönültaş, who was called to testify by phone on Monday, January 23, informed that she was going to give a statement on Tuesday. However, on Monday evening, two plainclothes police officers came to journalist’s house. They made blaming and threatening statements, saying, "There is a complaint against you, you slandered our police officer, you need to give a statement."
CFWIJ stands with journalist Hale Gönültaş, who reports with documents and evidence, adhering to the principles of journalism. No journalist should be punished for researching and revealing the truth. We demand a decision not to prosecute Hale Gönültaş. Journalistic activities are not criminal.
Legal harassment against journalist Ayşegül Doğan has continued since 2017
The second hearing for journalist Ayşegül Doğan was held on January 25 after the Court of Appeal overturned the prison sentence of six years and three months on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization". At the hearing, it was decided to continue the ban on going abroad, which has been implemented since 2017. The next hearing has been postponed to March 6, 2023.
On April 5, 2022, the prison sentence of journalist Ayşegül Doğan was quashed by the Court of Appeal, in the case where she was tried on the grounds of her meetings with the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) executives, interviews and events she participated in as part of her professional activities. 354 signatories supported the petition CFWIJ launched as on March 3, 2021, for the journalist's acquittal.
CFWIJ condemns Ayşegül Doğan's continuing trial despite the decision of the Court of Appeal. We demand her immediate acquittal. Journalistic activities are not a crime. Doğan will continue to research and ask questions in order to perform her profession in the most correct way.
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.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.