Turkey: CFWIJ Condemns The New Investigation Against Journalist Öznur Değer
Location: Turkey, Mardin
Date: September 1, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
An investigation was launched against Jinnews reporter Öznur Değer regarding her posts and stories about the assassination of seven people in the same family in Konya. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) denounces the intimidation attempt against journalists. We urge the Turkish authorities once again that journalism is not a crime. Legal harassment against journalists due to their journalistic coverage is unacceptable.
According to the Mesopotamia Agency (MA), the Mardin Kızıltepe Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation against Jinnews Ankara reporter Öznur Değer on the charge of "inciting the people to hatred and humiliation". The journalist gave testimony in Kızıltepe. Öznur was asked about her social media posts about the Dedeoğulları family, who were killed as a result of an armed attack in Konya's Meram district on 30 July. The posts made by the journalist were considered criminal elements.
Öznur’s stories about the assassination entitled, "I'm also a Kurd", "It's not hostility, it's a 'racist attack', it's not 'killing', it's murder", "Kurds are massacred in Konya", "Racist attack on Kurdish women and children in Elmadağ" and "How far is this racism can go" shown as the subject of accusation by the prosecutor. In the statement, the journalist accepted the coverage and reminded the prosecutor that she covered her stories under freedom of expression. She also denied all the allegations against her.
MA reporter Berna Kişin, who reported on the assassination of the Dedeoğulları family as a result of an armed attack in Meram district of Konya, was also targeted by the pro-government news outlet Konya Memleket Newspaper. The news claimed that the incident in Konya was turned into racist propaganda in which Berna did the coverage. The news also alleged that the journalist organized a smear campaign about the horrific incident.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism expressed solidarity with Öznur, who has been subjected to police violence many times because of her follow-ups. We urge the Turkish judiciary that journalistic activities are not a crime. We demand an immediate end to legal harassment against journalists. Press freedom and freedom of expression is the most fundamental right of journalists. Any interference in this matter is unacceptable.
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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