Turkey: CFWIJ Condemns The Deliberate Ban Against Journalists To Follow Kobani Trial
Location: Turkey, Ankara
Date: September 20, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Seven women journalists were deliberately prevented while following the Kobani Trial which took place in Ankara. The trial known as ‘Kobani’ was filed against 108 people, including Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, the former co-chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is concerned about the escalating crackdown against journalists. We urge the Turkish authorities to take into account the criteria of the free press and allow journalists to freely do their job.
The second hearing of the Kobani Trial was filed against 108 people, including Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, the former co-chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), was held at the Ankara 22nd High Criminal Court today. Seven female journalists were banned from following the trial and not allowed into the courtroom. Journalists were asked about the press card provided by the Directorate of Communications in Turkey. Despite showing their corporate press cards, they were not allowed into the courtroom. Journalists were taken to the courtroom after the lawyers of the trial intervened in the obstructions.
Damla Kızıltaş from Evrensel Newspaper, Seda Taşkın from Artı Gerçek, Mukadder Akyol, Berna Kişin, Berivan Altan, Zemo Ağgöz from Mesopotamia Agency (MA), and Dilan Babat from Jin News were among those journalists who was prevented from the scene.
Zemo Ağgöz: The truth does not want to be revealed
Speaking to CFWIJ about the prevention, MA’s Zemo Ağgöz said, the journalists were told they were banned because of the court's decision. She learned later that the president of the court did not have such a decision from itself. Zemo said, “We are impeded in all cases and events where the truth is hidden. The excuses are always the same. There is always an order coming from the top.” “They do not want to reveal the truth,” she quoted.
The CFWIJ documented a similar ban was applied to MA reporter Diren Yurtsever at the first hearing of the same case. MA reporters Diren Yurtseven and Selman Güzelyüz were prevented from following the case and physically assaulted by security forces. The police also did not allow the media outlets to film the trial.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the increasing crackdown against the opposition press in Turkey with great concern. We call on the Turkish authorities to interfere in creating environments where journalists can freely follow the news, rather than targeting the media and applying vicious repression and censorship.
#Turkey: Seven women journalists from @evrenselgzt, @artigercek, @medyascope, @jinnewsturkce, @MAturkce were forbidden from following the Kobani Trial in Ankara today. The journalists are still waiting for access. #CFWIJ condemns this restriction on free press. pic.twitter.com/Gi583bCC50
— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) September 20, 2021
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.