Turkey: CFWIJ Denounces Police Intervention Against Journalists
Location: Turkey, Ankara
Date: June 7, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Four women journalists were beaten and prevented while covering women’s demonstration in Ankara. The journalists followed the press statement that was made before the trial against the Ankara Women's Platform. 33 women are facing charges over confronting withdrawal of the Istanbul Convention. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the escalating pressure and violence against journalists using security forces directive as an excuse. Journalists are responsible for informing the public.
Anayurt Newspaper reporter Demet Aran, Mezopotamya Agency reporter Ceylan Şahinli, Jin News reporter Dilan Babat and Evrensel Newspaper reporter Damla Kırmızıtaş were prevented from filming the press statement where Ankara Women Platform issued at Ankara Courthouse. The police also attempted to confiscate Jin News reporter Dilan Babat's phone.
Just before May Day, the General Directorate of Security (EGM) announced a directive addressing journalists, who film the demonstrations, will take legal action against them.
The directive, which cited "violation of privacy" as the justification, claimed that recording and filming prevented law enforcement from doing their duty.
Many journalists who follow marches, demonstrations and protests are beaten by the police giving the reason for the directive. They have also prevented filming from the scenes.
Journalist Demet Aran, who spoke to CFWIJ about the challenges journalists face in the field stressed that the pressure against journalists in Turkey aims to prevent the violations of rights from being shared with the public. Underlining today’s incident, she said, “The mistreatment that journalists are facing now should not be considered separately from women who were attacked today. Part of our job is to inform everyone if there is an infringement or claim about our rights.” “The police prevent it from being heard. For this reason, they aim to stop us from filming their irregularities with all kinds of unlawfulness. But we will of course continue to do our job.” she continued.
Speaking to CFWIJ, also MA reporter Ceylan Şahinli, said, “Ankara police continue their routine by preventing us from the scene. As journalists working in the field, we are constantly exposed to police intervention.” Adding that showing your press card is not important for the police, Ceylan emphasized that she did not accept being criminalized in this way and she will continue to do her job.
Ceylan had previously been detained while following the Labor Day events and was released shortly after her testimony was taken.
Journalist Demet Aran was subjected to police violence while reporting and filming the press statement for the Health and Safety Labour Watch. On October 14, 2020. Despite filing a criminal complaint against the police, a decision of non-prosecution was given for her case.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is deeply concerned about the increasing police violence against journalists in Turkey. The main responsibility of a journalist is to inform the public about the developments in the country and cannot be prevented. As the coalition, we call on the security authorities to abandon the directive they have issued. Law enforcement officers are responsible for the safety of journalists rather than attacking.
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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