Turkey: Legal Attacks Against Journalist Hazal Ocak Fuel Press Freedom Concerns
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: January 24, 2020Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Hazal Ocak’s second trial was held yesterday. We demand for more transparency in this trial and urge Turkish judiciary to ensure justice for our colleague.
Cumhuriyet’s publisher Alev Coşkun and Hazal have been sued for one million Turkish Lira in non-pecuniary damages for their story. The Coalition For Women In Journalism has been closely following the trial of Cumhuriyet reporter Hazal Ocak.
The news story, published in October, is focused on the restoration of a historical Bosphorus villa that burned down. The lawsuit was filed by businessman Mehmet Cengiz - chairman of Cengiz Holding - the man who bought the mansion in question.
The story drew attention towards the constructions made at the historical Hüseyin Avni Pasha Grove. Reports showed that a ban on zoning was lifted after the mansion was purchased by Mehmet. The pro-government businessman has sued the journalists and their publisher following claims that the news story tarnished his reputation.
During the first hearing of the trial, Hazal spoke in her defense and said, “Journalism was my childhood dream. I have been doing environmental and urban news for the last six years. I have produced a lot of news in this manner. There were also many complaints about the area; local residents care about this place. I’ve received lots of tips. I made a report on this. I don't know who Mehmet Cengiz is. I was surprised to see the ‘one million’ suit. I do not accept these claims.”
Hazal’s lawyer Buket Yazıcı requested for the witness to be heard by the court during the second hearing. The court accepted the lawyer’s request in the interim decision.
Hazal held the floor and said, “The essence of the news is not Mehmet Cengiz. I don't understand why the lawsuit has been filed. They're probably trying to intimidate me.”
We, at CFWIJ, urge the Turkish judiciary to ensure a fair trial and demand that press freedom be allowed to prevail in the country. The practice of using legal attacks should be condemned and curbed.
The next hearing of the trial will be held on March 4.
... 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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