Turkey: CFWIJ Condemns Prison Sentence Against Journalist Hikmet Tunç – Journalism Is Not A Crime
Location: Turkey, Van
Date: August 13, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Jin News reporter Hikmet Tunç was sentenced to eight months and 22 days in prison as a result of the trial against her over her coverage. She was penalized for insulting Harun Yücel, the trustee appointed to Muradiye Municipality. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the court's verdict. We reiterate once again, journalism is not a crime.
JinNews reporter Hikmet Tunç was sued for allegedly insulting Harun Yücel, the trustee appointed to Muradiye Municipality, was sentenced to eight months and 22 days in prison. The trustee Yücel filed a lawsuit against the journalist alleging that Hikmet had "insulted" him. The coverage published on May 13, 2019, entitled "Muradiye Waterfall was left to its fate for 4 million 500 thousand TL” was about the 4 million 500 thousand TL which was given to the companies for the landscaping and recreation work of the municipality and that the companies disappeared before completing the project.
After the coverage, Harun Yücel filed a complaint against Hikmet with the allegation of "false news", and the Van Chief Public Prosecutor's Office decided to file a case against the journalist. In writing upon the parties' declaration, the court sentenced journalist Hikmet Tunç to eight months and 22 days in prison and decided to postpone the announcement of the verdict.
The journalist’s statement was not taken before the verdict, due to the court's decision of the “simplified procedure” at the first hearing. Accordingly, the case was held without trial, defence statements were heard in writing and the verdict was notified to the accused in writing. This procedure was applied for the first time in a lawsuit filed against a journalist.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism urges that journalists appear in court constantly for their journalistic activities is utterly disturbing. Journalists are obliged to write about issues and developments that interest the public. Their judgment is unacceptable. We demand the Turkish judiciary to end these lawsuits that brought to silence and intimidate journalists. Journalism is not a crime.
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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