Turkey: CFWIJ Demands Journalist Melis Alphan's Immediate Acquittal
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: January 14, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Journalist Melis Alphan was charged with spreading terrorist propaganda for the photo she shared on social media during the Newroz (Spring Festival) held in Diyarbakır in 2015. The journalist faces up to seven years sentence in prison. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the unjust case against the journalist. We demand Turkey to end these attempts to silence journalists.
An investigation was launched against Melis Alphan in November for a photo she shared from the Newroz event in Diyarbakır about six years ago. Melis who stated the prosecutor announced that an investigation was conducted against her allegedly for spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization due to the photo she posted on social media.
Melis Alphan stated that the investigation was initiated because the flag of the terrorist organization was seen in the photo. On her Twitter account, she said: "However, these images were broadcast on all national TV channels that day and the state was there too."
Today, Melis Alphan announced that the investigation against her has turned into a lawsuit. The journalist will be tried in Istanbul 32nd High Criminal Court with a claim of seven years sentence in prison.
The journalist defended that the lawsuit against her was an intent to silence the journalists. She said "The aim is to intentionally silence. But when they say ‘stop’, I have such a feeling to speak up more, this is my habit. Do you think I care if you throw me to prison?”
Speaking to CFWIJ earlier, “This is such an absurd accusation that I am facing now. I believe this investigation attempts intimidation against me." she said.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns Turkey's judiciary through the intimidation exerted against journalists. We demand a non-prosecution decision about the case against Melis Alphan, and we believe the journalist must be acquitted. No journalist can be tried because of their social media account. Journalists are obliged to report what happened and have the freedom to use any platform. We demand immediate abandonment of the pressure exercised against journalists from Turkey and to respect press freedom. Journalists cannot be silenced.
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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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