Turkey: Columnist Ceren Sözeri Stands Trial For SLAPP Filed By Pro-state Media Group
Location: Turkey, İstanbul
Date: April 13, 2022Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
The sixth hearing of the case against columnist Ceren Sözeri and Evrensel Daily was held in İstanbul. The hearing was adjourned until October 5 as the court awaits law enforcement officials’ reply on the financial and social status of columnist Ceren Sözeri and the newspaper. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the SLAPP against Ceren and the newspaper. We extend solidarity to the journalist and call for her immediate acquittal. Journalism is not a crime.
Turkuvaz Media Group filed a lawsuit against the journalist with a claim for compensation of 200 thousand TL, based on the article Ceren wrote about the ruling party and their loss in local elections. The article was entitled "Who made the ruling party AKP lose votes" and was published on April 7, 2019. Turkuvaz Media Group Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Serhat Albayrak demanded 200 thousand TL from the newspaper together with Ceren.
At the hearing held at the Istanbul 2nd Commercial Court of First Instance today, Ceren’s lawyer Devrim Avcı Özkurt represented the journalist. According to Eylem Sonbahar from the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), Turkuvaz Media Group’s lawyer Gözde Meral stated that the warrant written by Serhat Albayrak regarding his social and economic status has already been researched and responded to the court. For this reason, Gözde requested the court to correct the lack of the status research by the attorney of the defendants so that the proceedings would not be delayed.
The defendants' lawyer, Devrim Avcı, stated that the social and economic situation of his clients are not to his knowledge and did not accept the complainant’s statement.
The court ordered the law enforcement to wait for the law enforcement’s response to investigate the social and economic situation of the defendants. The next hearing has been postponed to October 5, 2022.
Journalistic activities should not be considered a crime for the prosecution of our colleagues. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands the Turkish judiciary dismiss the defamation case brought against Ceren Sözeri and immediately acquit the journalist.
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.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.