Location: Turkey, Diyarbakir
Date: January 14, 2021

Available in: 🇹🇷  Türkçe

An investigation was launched against Dicle Müftüoğlu, editor of the Mesopotamia Agency (MA), with the allegation of spreading propaganda for an organization of her social media posts. The journalist was previously sentenced to 15 months in prison at the first hearing of the case against her. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the legal harassment against Dicle. We demand the dismissal of the investigation towards the journalist. Journalism is not a crime.

Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation against Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) Co-chair and MA editor Dicle Müftüoğlu, allegations of "spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization", citing the news she shared on her social media accounts. According to the Mesopotamia Agency, Dicle stated that she made these posts as a journalist and the posts did not constitute a crime.

Müftüoğlu previously was sued for the social media post she shared in 2014. In the indictment, the prosecution asked for Müftüoğlu to be sentenced to one to five years in prison on the charge of spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization.

The first hearing of the case was held on December 2, 2020, in Diyarbakır 11th High Criminal Court. In her defence, Dicle did not accept the accusations and demanded the charges be dropped. She explained that the photo she shared on her social media account was part of her coverage for the news agency she worked for at that time. Despite her testimony, the prosecutor demanded Müftüoğlu’s arrest with the charge of spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization through the media outlet. The court sentenced journalist Dicle Müftüoğlu to 15 months in prison.

Since the beginning of 2021 CFWIJ documented at least one case each day about the attacks against women journalists in Turkey. We follow the attempts to silence the press with great concern. We believe that the judicial persecution of journalists for their social media posts is a new method to censor press freedom. We call on Turkish authorities to respect the freedom of expression and stop harassing and targeting journalists for their work.

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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.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.