Turkey: CFWIJ Condemns Prison Conviction Against Journalist Perihan Kaya

Location: Turkey, Diyarbakir
Date: November 4, 2021

Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe

Journalist Perihan Kaya was sentenced to 11 months and 20 days in prison for 'insulting the President' over her social media posts. Diyarbakır's court ruled to postpone her prison sentence. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ), condemns the court verdict to silence critical voices. Freedom of expression is vital for democracies and prosecution against journalists is unacceptable.

The second hearing of the case, which was brought against former Jin News reporter Perihan Kaya on the charge of "insulting the President" of her social media post, was held at the Diyarbakır 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance. The court sentenced Perihan to 11 months and 20 days in prison for "insulting Erdogan" and decided to defer the verdict.

This prison sentence for Perihan is not her first time. Perihan was previously sentenced to one year and three months in prison for spreading terrorist propaganda. The journalist was sued on charges of "being affiliated with an armed terrorist organization" and "spreading terrorist propaganda through the press and media". The journalist’s membership of the Free Journalists Association (ÖGC), social media posts, telephone calls with her colleagues, and secret witness statements, were taken as evidence. 

Speaking to CFWIJ about her prison sentence, Perihan called the court’s decision ‘unlawful’ “Whoever says only even ‘president’, it is considered a crime,” the journalist told CFWIJ. “I am not surprised with this conviction. I ended up in courts at least once a month and it is ongoing as I have more cases to appear and defend myself. Like any other journalist, I wish the same. I wish this country will be freer for journalists,” she continued.

#Turkey: Journalist #PerihanKaya sentenced to 11 months & 20 days in jail as court rules in favor of #Erdoğan, who sued her for “insulting” him. #CFWIJ is appalled at the widespread persecution of journalists in the country & calls for Perihan's acquittal. #JournalismIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/g5hdSckKjQ

— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) November 4, 2021

Since the beginning of 2021, CFWIJ has documented at least 92 separate cases filed against women journalists in Turkey alone. Journalists face baseless accusations and punishments based on their journalistic activities. This escalating figure is alarming. Press freedom is vital in countries where democracy exists. We demand the immediate acquittal of Perihan Kaya. Perihan is a journalist and journalism is not a crime.

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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.

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